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I^ecoUections of ^eYenty Years 



o/iuqusius LS. v!^r)eu<2iir), 



Brigadier, and Brevet Major General U. S. Vols. 
Civil War, 1861-65. 



GALENA 

The Gazette Publishing Company, 
1899. 



2-"&Ob 



^ 



02. 



TO MY ESTEEMED FRIEND 

THOMAS FOSTER, Esq., 

A WHOLESALE MERCHANT AND BANKER IN GALENA FOR 
OVER FIFTY YEARS, WHOSE STERLING WORTH AS A 
CITIZEN HAS ALWAYS BEEN RECOGNIZED AND 
WHO IS AN EXCELLENT TYPE OF THE 
CHRISTIAN GENTLEMAN, I RES- 
PECTFULLY DEDICATE 
THE FOLLOWING 
PAGES. 



A. L. Chetlain. 



PREFACE. 

For several years past my friends have suggested to 
me that I write the recollections of my long and some- 
what eventful life. I hesitated to undertake the task 
for the reason that I had not been accustomed to write 
for publication. A year ago I reached the conclusion 
that if such a work was ever to be done, it should be 
begun at once. My memory has always been exception- 
ally good and reliable. In giving to the world my 
recollections of seventy years, as found in the following 
[)age?, I have made no effort at fine writing, but have 
endeavored to state facts in such a way as to make them 
intelligible. What I give in these pages is not an 
autobiography, but rather my impression of men and 
tilings, especially of men, as 1 have seen and known 
them. The readers, whoever they may be, old or young, 
cannot fail to find something in this book which will 
interest them. With best wishes to them for health, 
prosperity and long life, I am, Sincerely, 

THE AUTHOR. 



CO ::v T 15 ivTs . 

Chapter. 

I. Early Galena, 1825 to 1832. 
II. Black Hawk War, 1832. Galena 1832 1S36 

III. Later Galena, 1836 to 1850. Sketches of Prominent 

Citizens. 

IV. Galena and the Northwest, 1850 to 1861. A tour in 

Kurope, incidents, etc. 
V. The Civil War. Recruiting the fir.st Galena Company 
in April 1861. Arm}' at Cairo. Movement on 
Fort Donelson. Prominent Arm}- Men, etc. 
VI. The Civil War. Fort Donelson to Vicksburg-. Battles 
of Shiloh and Corinth. Sketches of promi- 
nent army men. Incidents, etc. 

VII. The Civil War. 1863 to 1865. Army of the Tennessee- 
Recruiting and organizing U. S. Colored 
Troops in Tennessee. In command of Post 
and forces of Memphis. Incidents at close of 
the War. Commanding the District of Tala- 
dega, Ala., 1865-66. 
VIII. Utah, 1867-9. The Mormons and Mormonism. 

IX U. S. Consul at Brussels, 1869-72. Sketches of Ameri- 
cans in Europe. Notes on the Franco-Pruss- 
ian War, Siege of Paris, The Commune, etc. 

X. Chicago after the great fire of 1871. Convention in Chi- 
cago in 1874 of old Abolitionists. Tour in Cali- 
fornia. Jo. Jefferson, the famous actor at Ga- 
lena in 1810. International Military Encamp- 
ment at Chicago 18S7. Visit to Europe. Inter- 
view with Gen. Ferron, the French Minister of 
War. Gen. Grant and Ex Minister Washburne 
in 1879 — '80. Sketches of prominent men who 
have died in Chicago since 1872, and of men 
now living in Chicago and in the Northwest. 
XI. World's Columbian Exposition of 1893. Location 
secured. Management, etc. Womans Depart- 
ment, etc. 

XII. Brief sketches of Noted Women of Chicago. 

XIII. Army Societies in Chicago. Brief Sketches of army 

Officers. 

XIV. Notes on the Dominion of Canada. Notes on Rock- 

ford, 111., and Platteville Wis. 
XV. The Philafrican Liberators League. 
XVI. Galena at the close of the 19th century. Sketches of 
prominent citizens who have died. Sketches 
and notices of citizens now living. 



Page i5-6th line from bottom should read "Jeremiah Wood." 

28— nth •' " " Thomas P.rummond." 

.. 193— gth " " " There also was my friend." 

200— i8th " " " " " "whose death in 1891." 

.. 209— 9th and loth line from top should read "draw" and "make." 
" 299— 20th line from top should read "Superintendent of Public Schools. 

TpA—2d " " " " " "while on their way." 
<• 304— 3d " " bottom should read "requiescat in pace." 
" 304— 5th garlands dead." 

CHAPTER I. 



EflRLY GALENfl. 



The lead mine region of the Northwest is about 
fifty miles square, lying in the northwestern corner of 
Illinois and the southwestern part of VVisconsin, with a 
narrow strip on the west side of the Mississippi river, in 
the vicinity of Dubuque, Iowa. A few adventurous men 
came into the region as early as 1821 to engage in min- 
ing lead ore, and a larger number in the succeeding live 
years. They were mostly from Missouri, Kentucky and 
Southern Illinois, making their way to the mines on 
horseback, by ox-teams and by *keelboats up the Mis- 
sissippi river. The early best paying "diggings" were 
located west of Fever river, from five to ten miles from 
La Pointe (afterwards Galena). Their supplies were ob- 
tained at a small store or trading post, kept by a French- 
man named Bouthillier, just below and on the opposite 
side of the river from Frederic's Point, the landing for 
steamboats, and the head of navigation at an ordinary 
stage of water. Crude log furnaces were constructed to 
smelt the ore, and the product of these furnaces was 
taken to St. Louis by keelboats and by ox-teams over- 
land. The teams occasionally hauled loads to Juneau's 
Point (afterwards Milwaukee), and to Fort Dearborn 
(afterwards Chicago). During these years and prior 
thereto, the Winnebago Indians did some mining, which 

*The keelboats were much like a canal boat, only much smaller and of lighter 
construction, and propelled by rowing, poling or cordelling, and were in general 
use on the Mississippi before steamboats began running. 



gave them lead to mold into bullets and buckshot for 
their guns. They never exported any lead. 

By 182(3 the mining operations, which had proved 
lucrative, began to attract the attention of the country 
and brought in a large immigration, not only of miners, 
but also of farmers, merchants, mechanics and a few 
professional men. The next year brought in a still 
larger number, and mining centers were formed, each 
with its store, blacksmith shoj), etc. The locating of 
Galena on Fever river was a matter of accident. Prior 
to 1826 all supplies for the miners were brought up 
Fever river and landed at Frederic's Point, a natural 
landing, and prior to 1827 this landing was known as 
La Pointe. In the summer of 182(3 a street was laid out 
under the bluff, just below the landing, and named 
Main street, and the lots were leased for building pur- 
poses. A few log houses were erected for dwellings, 
stores, shops, etc. The fall of that year brought in the 
greater part of the French-Swiss colony from the Selkirk 
settlement on Red river. These people having become 
dissatisfied with the condition of things at the settle- 
ment, emigrated in a body to the lead mines to join 
some of their compatriots already there. Traveling 
overland to Fort St. Anthony (now Fort Snelling^ they 
obtained passage on a steamboat which had carried sup- 
plies to the garrison stationed there, and by it were taken 
to their destination. The new comers, all well-to-do 
financially, chose to locate on government lands and en- 
gage in farming. 

The favorable reports from the mining region dur- 
ing the latter part of 1826, induced capitalists to locate 
there for the purpose of trading, smelting lead ore, etc. 
In the spring of 1827 two additional streets were laid 
out in the new town and lots were sold. Steamboats 
began to run at regular intervals between St. Louis and 



Fever river. B\' fall the village had more than doubled 
in population. When the question of obtaining a town 
€harter was being discussed it was proposed to name the 
town Jackson, in honor of Gen. Jackson, who was pop- 
ular in the West. Others suggested that it be named 
Harrison, called afier the hero of Tippecanoe, but wiser 
counsel prevailed, and the more appropriate name Ga- 
lena, was chosen. The character of the settlers in the 
lead mines during this year, either to locate in Galena 
or elsewhere, was much better than that of the previous 
years. 

Among the large number of enterprising men who 
located in the town of Galena in 1827 and during the 
two succeeding years. I can call to m}' mind Dr. Horatio 
ISTewhall. Charles S, Hempstead, Col. James M. Strode, 
Captain W. B. Green, James G. Soulard, Captain J. B, 
Atchison, Captain D. B. Morehouse, Captain Orrin Smith, 
Captain Smith D. Harris, Captain W. H. Hooper, Captain 
Edward Beebe, Captain G. W. Girdon (the last seven 
named well-known steamboat captains). Scribe Harris, 
Ben C. St. Cyr, H. P. McCloskey, Frederick Stahl, Nich- 
olas Dowling, Lucius and Edward Langworthy (after- 
wards prominent citizens of Dubuque), Thomas Ford 
(later governor of Illinois), Henry Dodge (general in the 
Blackhawk war and subsequently U. S. senator), Charles 
K. Bennett. Daniel Wann (Collector of the port of Ga- 
lena for a score of years), William Hempstead and Moses 
Hallet (the first sheriff of the county). 

For the most part the young men named above were 
as energetic and wide awake as any to be found. Nothing 
pleased them better than a horse race, a turkey shooting 
match or a country dance. Shrewd, enterprising and 
industrious, most of them were successful in their various 
vocations, W. H. Hooper, trader as well as a steamboat 
captain, moved west, engaged as a freighter west of the 



Missouri river, joined the Mormon church, settled in 
Utah, and was for sixteen years a delegate to congress, 
Although a Mormon, he never practiced polygamy. He 
had great energy, much practical intelligence and a 
charm of manner that won the respect and confidence of 
his brother members in both houses of congress. 

George W. Campbell, who was a successful wholesale 
grocer at Galena lor nearly twoscore years, moved to Chi- 
cago during the early part of the civil war and filled a 
position in the United States commissary department 
there, with the rank of colonel. A quiet, careful, conserv- 
ative business man, he always kept his affairs well in hand- 
He was a member of the First Presbyterian church at 
Galena and a ruling elder for more than a score of years. 
His Christian zeal and benevolence led him to do much 
for the poor and unfortunate in alleviating their needs. 
It could truly be said of him that he was the poor man's 
friend. 

My parents came to the lead mines in the spring of 
1826, from St. Louis, Mo., where they had lived for two 
^ears and where I was born. They were members of 
the French-Swiss colony which emigrated via Hudf 
son Bay to the Selkirk settlement in British America 
in 1821 and left there in 1823. They made their way 
to the Mississippi and down that river in open boats to» 
St. Louis. The climate of Missouri did not agree with 
them, and when Col. Henry Gratiot, the newly appointed 
agent to the Winnebago Indiaiis, left St. Louis for the 
lead mines in 1826 to establish an agency, my parents,, 
■with a few of their fellow colonists who were in St. Louis,, 
joined him. The party took passage on one of the first 
steamboats that ascended the Mississippi above the mouth 
of the Illinois river, and reached Fever river on the 14th 
-day of April. A beautiful grove on the south side of a.n 
undulating prairie, tvvelve miles north of La Pointe 



(afterwards Galena), was chosen as the site of the new 
9genc3^ Col. Gratiot's family, as well as that of my 
father, were left at La Pointe while suitable buildings 
were being erected at the agency for their accommoda- 
tion. Col. Gratiot was joined the next spring by his two 
brothers, Bion and Paul, who became his partners in the 
business of mining and smelting lead. There were good 
"diggings" in the vicinity of the agency. They con- 
structed several log furnaces and employed a large num- 
ber of men to dig ore, run the furnaces, cut and haul 
wood, etc. The men so employed were usually Canad- 
ian ex-trappers and voyageurs, among whom were some 
half-breed Indians. My father engaged in mining and 
teaming. The teaming business was a large one, as aly 
the ore dug had to be hauled, to the furnaces to be 
smelted, and the lead in "pigs" was then hauled from 
the furnaces to La Pointe, on Fever river, for shipment. 

In the three or four years succeeding the establish- 
ment of the agency at Gratiots' Grove, the mining opera- 
tions on the prairie north of there were so successful 
that it became the attraction for many miners. In after 
years this tract, known as "ShuUsburg's Survey," devel- 
oped into one of the richest sections of the lead mine 
region. The flourishing town of Shullsburg, Wisconsin, 
was built on this tract. 

The rapid increase in the products of the mines in 
what was called the Galena District brought in a large 
number of men of capital, who constructed smelting 
furnaces within fifteen miles of Gait na. Some of the 
earlier ones were the Gratiots, H. H. Gear, Lockwood, 
Magoon, Hughlett, Meeker, Strawbridge, Hamilton and 
January. The government, through the war depart- 
ment, exacted from the miner one-tenth of the mineral 
dug by him as a tax. The miner usually arranged with 
the smelter to pay this tax, consequently the relations 



10 

between the miner and the smelter were very close, and, 
to a certain extent, confidential. The furnaces in these 
early days were crude and inexpensive, and in the pro- 
cess of smelting there was much waste. In the early 
-30's Burton & Sons constructed near Galena a new, im- 
proved and more expensive furnace, patterned after the 
English furnace style. It was called the "Cupolo" fur- 
nace, and is in general use now. 

The teaming business increased in importance as 
the mining interests of the country developed. The 
opening of valuable mines in the northern portions of 
the lead mine region about Mineral Point increased the 
number of teams engaged in the carrying business. In 
the spring teams of four yoke of oxen and a strong 
canvas covered wagon would leave Southern Illinois for 
the mines, haul lead to ihe furnaces, or from the furnaces 
to the place of shipment, usually Galena, and take a 
"back load" in goods for the traders or supplies for the 
miners. The teamsters lived in their wagons and cooked 
their food, which consisted of corn bread, bacon and 
coffee. The oxen browsed at night, and so obtained a 
living. Late in the fall these "outfits" would return to 
their .southern homes for the winter, sometimes, in the 
early days, taking a load of lead to St. Louis. These 
were called "sucker teams," after the sucker fish, which 
ascends the Mississippi river in the spring and returns 
late in the fall. 

As early as 1827, Col. James M. Strode, a Kentuck- 
ian, located at Galena and put out his "shingle" as at- 
torney and counselor at law. He was one of the first 
lawyers in the village, preceded by only one other, viz: 
Judge .John Turney. He was of splendid physique, tall 
and straight, and dignified and courteous in manner. 
He had ability as a lawyer, especially' in jury trials. His 
afFabilitv and eood nature drew men to him, and he 



11 

soon becam( well known and popular in all that region. 
When the Blackhawk war broke out, he raised a com- 
pany of mounted men, and later was elected a colonel of 
a small regiment, to which was assigned the duty of 
scouting in the mining district and in the country east 
and south of it. His men were ever on the alert and 
did some efficient work as scouts. The colonel was never 
engaged in a battle with the Indians, but had a few 
lively skirmishes with them. During the short war he 
achieved considerable distinction as an Indian fighter. 
For many years after the war stories were told of his ex- 
ploits. Many were doubtless exaggerated, but they 
never failed to interest the people. Kis vanity was 
great, and he seemed to enjoy being thus made a hero. 
Col. Strode moved to Chicago about the early '50's, and 
will be remembered by the old Chicago bar and by old 
citizens of the northern part of the state, as one of the 
counsel in the famous Birch-Stewart divorce case, which 
was tried at the county seat of Du Page county. 

One of the most noted men who came to Galena in 
1827 was Hezekiah H. Gear, a New Englander, nearing 
middle life. He was tall, slender, wiry, of irrepressible 
energy, and soon proved to be a successful business man. 
He engaged in mining on a large scale, hiring men b}^ 
the score to do his work, built furnaces and ran them, 
and also engaged in trading at Galena. At this time he 
was the wealthiest man in the lead mines. When the 
Blackhawk war broke out in 1832, he raised a company 
of mounted volunteers, which he himself commanded. 
He was elected to the state senate and made a very cred- 
itable record. Whlie senator he warmly favored the 
project to build a railroad from Cairo to Galena, called 
the "Illinois Central Railroad," and was an active factor 
in develoi)ing the resources of the lead mine region. 
Later in life he became somewhat erratic, the result of 



12 

long mental strain, and "his right hand forgot its cun- 
ning." 

The Rev. Mr. Gear, a brother of Captain Gear, was a 
Protestant Episcopal clergyman, and in the early 30s was 
rector of a church at Galena. His son, John H. Gear, 
who was a schoolboy at this time and whom I knew, 
moved to Fort Snelling. Minn., with his father, who had 
been appointed a chaplain in the United States Army. 
After the completion of his education he went to Bur- 
lington, Iowa, and became a merchant. He was elected 
to the legislature and was chosen speaker and served 
two terms. He was soon afterwards elected governor of 
the state and served four years, and is now one of the 
United States senators from that state. Governor Gear 
is a man of quiet disposition, of sound judgment and of 
fine adniinistrative ability, and has always been popular 
with tlie peo[)le of his state. 

Among the young men who came to Galena in 1827 
were two from New England and who were prominent 
figures in that place for nearly a half century. They 
were Charles S. Hempstead and Dr. Horatio Newhall, a 
practicing physician. The former was a quiet, dignified, 
urbane man, and an able lawyer, who {)racticed his pro- 
fession until past middle life, when he devoted his en- 
tire attention to his [)rivate affairs. He was a promoter 
of the Galena and Chicago railioad, the first road to be 
constructed west of Lake Michigan, and was one of its 
board of directors for many years. He served in the 
civil war as a paymaster and was one of Galena's early 
mayors. His two sons, Edward and Charles, became 
prominent citizens of Galena, and both moved to Chicago 
and engaged, the first named in the lumber business, 
and the second in the practice of his profession as a 
physician, in which he became distinguished. Dr. New- 
hall was a man of liberal education, of superior natural 



13 

ability, and was recognized cxS a skillful practitioner. 
Both were ruling elders in the First Presbyterian church 
at Galena during all these years. They were both pub- 
lic spirited citizens, in whom the community liad un- 
bounded confidence and held in higii esteem. No two 
other citizens did more to advance its every interest, so- 
cial, moral and material. 

In the same year (1827) a young Kentuckian 
made his advent in Galena in the person of John H. 
Rountree. He was tall, handsome, genial and generous. 
He turned his attention to mining and located in a min- 
ing center near Galena. His industry, energy and rare 
practical intelligence attracted the attention of his neigh- 
bors. Not long after he moved to the village of Platte- 
ville, Wis. His success as a business man soon made 
him prominent, and his kindly manner naturally won 
for him the frierjdship of all classes. His cordial greet- 
ing and handshake was often regarde'l by the recipients 
as i* benediction. So much confidence did his neighbors 
have in his integrity and good judgment, that not in- 
frequently when disagreements arose among them in- 
stead of going to a court, they would mutually agree to 
leave it to Major Rountree for decision. He served in 
the Blackhawk war as a captain of volunteers, was elected 
a member of the constitutional convention of his state, 
was a state senator several terms, and held other posi- 
tions of trust in his state. He was one of Wisconsin's 
best known and most highly esteemed citizens. 

The first clergyman to settle in Galena was the Rev. 
Aratus Kent in 1820. Having completed his theolog- 
ical studies, he came to the lead mines under the aus- 
pices of the Home Missionary society. When he made 
application for a mission he said that he wanted a ''place 
so hard that no one would take it." With commenda- 
ble Christian zeal he began to canvass the village, to as- 



14 

certain if it contained any members of tlie Presbyterian 
church. A few were foand, wlio gave him u cordial 
welcome, and arrangements were at once made by them 
and their friends, without regard to sect, for holding 
Sunday meetings. A suitable room was secured at the 
rear of a grocery store and saloon — a combination not 
unusual in those days. It is related that while the 
young clergyman was preaching in the rear room, a few 
citizens, who evidently "esteemed all days alike," were 
having a quiet game of "seven up" in the front room. 
Mr. Kent organized the first Presbyterian church in Ga- 
lena in 1831, and bought a frame building adjoining 
the present stone church building, in which services were 
held for several years. He was its pastor for nearly a 
quarter of a century. In the '40s it was the largest 
and most influential church in the Northwest outside 
of Chicago. About 1855 he was appointed the General 
Superintendent of Home Missions for the Northwest. 
He continued in this work for nearlj' a score of years, 
and by his untiring energy accomplished what few other 
men could have done in establishing religious societies, 
organizing churches, and in securing missionaries to 
take charge of them. He alsj took an active interest in 
educational matters, and was an important factor, with 
Elder John Edwards, an old and influential citizen of 
Rockford as an assistant, in founding Beloit college and 
the Rockford Female college. During tiie first decade of 
his ministrations at Galena he was in the habit of giving 
one day each week to visiting the villages and hamlets 
in the lead mine region, going frequently from house to 
house to ascertain the religious needs of its inmates. He 
took with him Bibles, tracts and other religious books, 
which he distributed freely, thereby doing the work 
usually done by the colportuer. He was generally known 
at an early date as the "pioneer missionary," and in the 



15 

later years of his life as "P'ather Kent." He was a mark 
of wonderful energy and of deej) and earnest piety. I 
united with his church at an early age, and have always 
felt deeply grateful to him for his faithfulness in giving 
me so many valuable moral and religious lessons in my 
youth, lessons which I have never forgotten. 

Soon after the beginning of the '30s Mr. Kent in- 
duced Amasa B. Campbell, a graduate of a New England 
college, to come to Galena and open a first-class school. 
He intended to enter the ministry, but lack of physical 
ability caused him to change his mind, and he resolved 
to be an educator. Mr. Canipbell began his work with 
zeal and energy. He had a well-trained mind and a 
disposition well adapted for teaching. For fifteen 3^ears- 
he carried on his work with untiring devotion, and his- 
school at Galena was regarded as the best in the Noith- 
west. Soon after its opening he had the valuable assist- 
ance of bis wife, who was a lady of fine natural ability 
and thoroughly educated. For several years I was a 
pupil in his school, attending every winter from four to- 
five months. He was of great assistance to his pastor^ 
Mr. Kent, in his arduous work, frequently filling his 
pulpit when the latter was absent or disabled. Mr. 
Campbell took a lively interest in his pupils and did 
more than merely teaching them. In tiie latter part of 
the '40s he gave up teaching on account of impaired 
health, and turned his attention to farming. He was- 
succeeded by George S. Magoun, afterward Rev. Dr. 
Magoun, President of Iowa college, at Grinnell, Iowa. 

Mr. John Wood, a college graduate, came to Galena 
a few years before Mr. Campbell to establish an academy. 
His project did not succeed. He moved out to Gratiot's- 
Grove, opened a boarding and day school there, ran it 
for a few years and returned to Galena. I attended his 
school at Gratiot's Grove one winter. He was a man of 



16 



ability and superior education, and one of its prominent 
citizens for nearly fifty years. He served as a deacon 
and ruling elder in the first Presbyterian church during 
most of these vears. 



CHAPTER II. 



THE BLACKHAWK WAR Of 1832— GALENA, 1832 TO 1836. 

The Black hawk war broke out in the early summer 
of 1832. For six years prior to this event the emigra- 
tion to the lead mine region had been phenomenally 
great. The settlers during the latter part of this period 
were largely of the agricultural class, who had been in- 
duced to locate on government lands, not only in the 
mining districts, but also on the fertile lands south and 
east of the district. Thus it happened that when roving 
bands of Indians began their depredation of stealing 
cattle and horses, burning farm houses and occasionally 
murdering their inmates, there was a considerable though 
scattered population in Northwestern Illinois and South- 
western Wisconsin. It will be remembered that the 
Winnebago Indians in 1827 bad become dissatisfied and 
restless and threatened to take the war path. They as- 
serted that they had received bad treatment from the 
white settlers in the lead mine region, that they could 
get no redress, etc. The Indian agent. Col. Henry Gra- 
tiot, who had always been on friendly terms with this 
tribe, at once went to their camps on upper Rock river, 
and had a 'italk" with its chiefs, and induced them to 
delay all action and meet a high official of the govern- 
ment, Gen. Cass, of Michigan, and lay all their griev- 
ances before him, promising them that he would rectify 
all their wrongs and have the wrongdoers punished. 
The result was that a conference was held and a treaty 
of peace was made and signed by all the leading chiefs 

B 



18 

-of the tribe. These Indians were the allies of the whites 
during the war of 1832. 

The Sac tribe of Indians, of which Blackhawk was the 
chief, had two years before (1829), by treaty, ceeded to the 
government their lands on Rock river, and had moved 
to their new reservation on the west side of the Missis- 
sippi river in Central and Southern Iowa, and nearly 
directly west of their reservation in Illinois. 

For some reason never fully understood, Blackhawk 
moved the greater part of his tribe in the spring of 1832 
to his old reservation on lower Rock river. Blackhawk 
always asserted that his intentions w'ere not hostile. He 
simply desired to spend the summer on his old hunting 
grounds, where game was more plenty than on the Des 
Moines and Iowa rivers, and that he had brought his 
squaws and papooses with him showing his peaceful in- 
tentions. There was a garrison of United States troops 
at Fort Armstrong, Rock Island, in command of Gen. 
-Atkinson. The authorities at Washington construed 
this action on the part of Blackhawk as a violation of 
the treaty and a declaration of war, and Gen. Atchison 
was ordered to move his troops against Blackhawk and 
force him to recross the Mississippi river. Fearing tl/at 
the force at Fort Armstrong might not be sufficient, the 
governor of Illinois was ordered to issue a call for volun- 
teers. Blackhawk, finding that he could not recross the 
Mississippi river below Rock Island without coming in 
conflict with United States troops, moved his tribe up the 
valley of Rock river, fighting the white troops, regulars 
and volunteers, wherever attacked by them. 

Small bands of the younger Indians, on the plea of 
scouting, went out and began to steal, pillage and burn 
hay and grain in the stack, burn houses and in some in- 
stances committed murder; such bands are now called 
'pillagers." Blackhawk claimed that he had no control 



19 

over them and was not aware at the time of their conduct. 
The act of these pillagers created intense excitement 
among the white settlers, and their outrages were charged 
directly to Blackhawk. It has always been evident to 
me that Blackhawk, finding his retreat cut off, pushed 
northward, hoping to cross the Mississippi above the 
Wisconsin river, which he ultimately succeeded in doings 
after having lost nearly one-half of his warriors and 
many of his women and children. 

Three years before the war my father located about 
a half section of government land on Apple river, six 
miles south of the agency, and lying in Jo Daviess coun- 
ty, Illinois, for a farm. He began to improve it at once, 
and by the time the war began he had one of the best 
farms in that section of the country. The family lived 
on the farm and he divided his time between the farm 
and his business at the agency. This farm, as I remem- 
ber it, was an ideal one. On the north side of this beau- 
tiful river, large enough to run mills, was an undulating 
prairie with soil of great fertility, and on the south side, 
gently rising from the river, was a thick grove, mostly of 
hard wood, from which no wood or timber had ever been 
taken. The prairie land and timber or wood land were 
of nearly equal area. We were near the Indian trail 
from the agency to the Indian camps on lower Rock 
river. After the war began reports were circulated to 
the effect that the Winnebagos would join the Sacs in 
their war. In the early summer of 1832 the bad con- 
duct of Indians south of us caused the settlers some 
anxiety, and they became suspicious of the hitherto 
friendly Winnebagos 

I remember well in the early summer of the war a 
band of ten or twelve Winnebagos stopping at our farm 
house at nightfall and asking for food. Bread and meat 
were given to them and they left. Their conduct led my 



20 

mother, who understood the Indian character well, to be- 
lieve they might be bent on doing mischief. Father was 
at the agency, and she was alone with her five small 
children, the eldest being only nine years old. The near- 
est neighbor was nearly a mile away. She barricaded 
the door for the night, and took as a weapon of defense 
in case of attack a large four-pronged iron pitchfork. 
The next evening at about sun down we heard a noisy 
band of Indians on the trail less than half a mile dis- 
tant. It was evident that a part or all of them were 
under the influence of liquor. Mother was alarmed, and 
hurriedly gathering up a few valuables took her five little 
ones to a secluded spot up the river, where stood a stack 
of hay. She made beds of hay at the foot of the stack 
for the smaller ones and with the two oldest boys (1 be- 
ing the younger of the two) sat up the livelong night. 
Father came home the next day, and the family was at 
once taken to the agency for better protection. 

My father soon after joined a company of mounted 
volunteers that belonged to Col. Strode's regiment. The 
company was active as scouts, but never had an engage- 
ment with the Indians. One day about the middle of 
July, about 2 o'clock in the afternoon, our village was 
startled by the news brought by a scout that a large force 
of hostile Indians was moving on Galena from the east 
and would attack it by daylight the next morning, and 
that Gratiot's Grove might be attacked Hrst. As Galena 
had a stockade and a small force of volunteers, all were 
ordered to leave for there at once. There we had no 
stockade nor troops and were entirely unprotected. All 
the horse teams and saddle horses were brought out. The 
women and children were crowded in the wagons. The 
men and boys took the horses, two on a horse. When it 
came my turn to mount, I found that my only chance to 
ride was the third seat on a horse, a Canadian and a 3'^oung 



21 

colored girl of eighteen were to ride in front of me. A 
few men with arms volunteered to stay and defend the gov- 
ernment stores at the agency warehouse. Soon after 3 
o'clock the procession moved off at a rapid rate. When we 
had made about two-thirds of the twelve miles to Galena, 
we were met by a messenger, who informed us that the 
alarm was a false one, that no Indians had been seen, 
etc. Most of the villagers turned back to their homes. A 
few went on to Galena. I was j)ermitted to go, and boy 
like, had a good time. 

The big scare narrated above induced the villagers 
and the settlers in the vicinity to begin the construction 
of a stockade around the two buildings used as a store 
bouse for the government Indian supplies. As nearly 
all the able-bodied men had joined the mounted com- 
pany of volunteers, it was left to the old noen, women 
and boys to do the work. Men were set to work felling 
trees and cutting logs about eighteen inches in diameter 
and twenty-five feet long, which were dragged a half a 
mile or more to the agency storehouse. A trench three 
feet in depth was dug, when the logs were set up on end 
in it. Every log had its upper end sharpened. It fell to 
my lot, though less than eight years of age, to drive two 
yoke of oxen to drag the logs from the forest. It took 
several weeks to complete the stockade. All the settlers 
felt greatly relieved after its completion, and only once 
were they all brought into it for one night before the 
close of the war, about a month later. During the time we 
were constructing our stockade the settlers at Elizabeth, 
fifteen miles east of Galena, were attacked by a small 
force of Indians, probably "pillagers." Their stockade 
had been completed and the Indians were repulsed after 
an irregular fight of several hours. Much ammunition 
was expended, and when the supply of bullets was ex- 
hausted the women went to work moulding a new sup- 
ply. The settlers lost only one man. 



22 

This Indian war, as well as the serious trouble with 
the Winnebagos five years before, which came nigh to 
an open conflict, were unnecessary. In both instances the 
white settlers were to blame. In 1826 and 1827 the 
miners and keelboat men treated the Indians and their 
squaws not only harshly, but often brutally. In the 
latter case, had the military authorities been more pru- 
dent, and, instead of sending an armed force to fight, in- 
stituted an inquiry into the reasons for Blackhawk's vio- 
lation of the provisions of the treaty of 1829 in leaving 
his reservation on the west side of the Mississippi, all 
would have been explained satisfactorily and a bloody- 
war averted. To show how unfair and unmilitary was 
the conduct of the volunteers, I will state that when 
Blackhawk was camped some distance north of Dixon, 
where were rendezvoused some three hundred volunteers 
in command of Major Stillman, one company was de- 
tailed under command of Major Stillman to find the In- 
dians under Blackhawk. After a short day's ride, they 
went into camp not far from the Indian encampment. 
Towards evening Blackhawk sent a flag of truce to the 
•camp of the volunteer company to say "that he wanted 
to talk to them; that he did not want to fight. Some of 
the white men, probably under the influence of liquor, 
deliberately fired upon the Indians with the flag of truce, 
and killed three of the five. The two who escaped in- 
jury reported to Blackhawk what had happened. He 
immediately sent out a force of men to do battle. After 
a few volleys at long range the volunteers fled, some 
going to Dixon to report a great and bloody battle, but 
most of them to their homes, and were not seen again 
during the war. *The whites lost eleven men, mostly 
killed while retreating, and the Indians five men. The 

*From S. W. McMaster's "Sixty Years on the Upper Mississippi," published 
In 1894 . 



23 

» 

above describes the battle of Stillman's Creek, of which 

much has been said and written. The foregoing ac- 
count is from the written statement of J. W.^jiencer of 
Rock Island, a participant in the battle and a man of re- 
spectability and probity. 

After the war, matters generally in the Northwest 
assumed their normal condition. The miners suffered 
but little loss from the war. but the farmers in many 
localities lost their entire crops. The influx of settlers 
continued, both as miners and farmers, and by the year 
1836 there seemed to be a general condition of prosper- 
ity. In 1831 a newspaper was established in Galena 
called the "Miners' Journal." Drs. Phileo and Newhall. 
the editors and proprietors, continued its publication 
until 1834. Dr. Phileo was the war correspondent of 
the "Miners' Journal," and much information given by 
him of the Blackhawk war is reliable and has historical 
value. In 1834 the "Miners' Journal" was bought by H. 
H. Houghton, a practical newspaper man, who changed 
the name to the "Galena Gazette and Northwestern Ad- 
vertiser," Mr. Bartlett becoming publisher and business 
manager. Mr. Bartlett, after a few years, discontinued 
his connection with the paper and went to Armenia, 
Turkey, as a missionary, where he took charge of the 
first missionary paper published in that country. Mr. 
Houghton continued as editor until about 1860, when he 
retired, and J. B. Brown succeeded him as editor and 
proprietor. Mr. Houghton was a man of broad educa- 
tion, general intelligence, quiet energy and always in- 
tensely loyal to his country and true to his friends. The 
"Gazette" is still published, now as a daily and weekly, 
and is in its sixty-fifth year. I read the paper first in 
1834, and have read it continuously since. It has fol- 
lowed me to the army and to Europe during my four 
years' residence there. 



24 

« 
In the spring of 1834 my father sold his Apple River 

farm, gave up his business at Gratiot's Grove and moved 

to Galena, where there were good schools to which his 

children could be sent. He rented a farm near Galena, 

known as the "Bennett farm," on which his family could 

live while he was improving atract of government land a 

mile and a half west of Galena on the Mineral Point 

road. His neighbors north of him who located lands at 

the same time were James G. Soulard, Captain John 

Atchison and E. Lytle, and south Francis Longet and 

Alfred Quinch. This farm or homestead was increased 

in area in after years, so that in the '60s it was generally 

regarded as the best farm for stock breeding and the 

growing of mixed crops of any in the county. Although 

reduced in size, it is still in the famil}^ and owned by 

Captain H. B. Chetlain, my younger brother, who is one 

of the best known and highly esteemed men of the lead 

mine region. 

For nearly a score of years after the death of my 
father in 1872, this large property was managed by my 
eldest brother, Frederic Chetlain, a man of sound judg- 
ment, of excellent executive ability, of genuine kindli- 
ness of disposition, of unostentatious piety and of sturdy 
honesty. 

I remained with my father on the farm until after 
the middle of the '40s, when I took a position in a 
wholesale mercantile house in Galena as clerk. When I 
was seventeen years of age. I obtained a practical knowl- 
edge of horticulture and floriculture from my father's old 
friend and neighbor, Mr, James G. Soulard, who had for 
years given his personal attention to these branches of in- 
dustry, especially the former. He had wealth, and was 
ardently attached to the business, from sheer love of it. 
He spent large sums of money in bringing from the 
East, and often from Europe, rare fruit trees, plants and 



25 

shrubs, constantly making experiments to ascertain what 
kinds were best suited to the climate and soil of North- 
ern Illinois, and all this was done, not for personal gain, 
but from a desire to give to the settlers of the region the 
best that could be cultivated with success. He intro- 
duced in the early '40s, the Red River Beardless wheat 
and the Bolles variety of corn, both well adapted to the 
soil and climate of that region. In all this he proved 
himself a public benefactor. My object in familiarizing 
myself with horticulture especially, was that my bent of 
mind and taste led me to choose this industry and follow 
it after reaching manhood. Both myself and my older 
brother, Frederic, had inherited this taste in this matter 
from our mother, who was an ardent lover of plants and 
flowers. 



CHAPTER III. 



GALENfl. 1836 TO 1850— SKETCHES Of PROMINENT 

CITIZENS. 



The great financial depression which swept over this 
country in 1837 was felt more keenly in the older sec-- 
tions of the country than in the newer. The lead mine 
region, settled at first by miners and traders, had re- 
ceived after the Blackhawk war of 1832 a large influx of 
people, who settled on government lands and cultivated 
them. The inducements for engaging in farming were 
great, as the miners could get their supply of flour,, 
meats, potatoes, eic, near home, instead of having to 
rely for such supplies from Missouri and other points 
south. The farmers who located on lands in the mining 
district and on lands south and east of it, as far as Rock 
river, always had a ready sale for all their farm products^ 
cattle and hogs, for ready money at satisfactory prices. 
In the early '40s lead ore commanded a good price, and 
the total yield or output of the mines amounted to over 
a million dollars a year. Moreover, the miners having 
refused currency for their mineral, and the American gold 
being difficult to get, English sovereigns were imported 
and paid to the miners at $4.90, being a little more than 
their real value. Many failures occurred throughout 
the country among businessmen, owing in a great meas- 
ure to depreciated paper money then in general use. 
Few failures occurred in the mining district, and a time 
of comparative prosperity was enjoyed by all classes. 

This favorable condition of things in the lead mine 
region attracted the attention of people all over the 



27 

country, and naturally the wide-awake and enterprising,, 
especially among the young men, sought the new El- 
dorado. From 1838 to say 1845, a large number of law- 
yers, physicians, traders, mechanics and some capitalists 
made their way to Galena, the principal town of the dis- 
trict, and settled there. Among those who were thus at- 
tracted were a number of young lawyers, principally 
from the Atlantic states. Many of them, after having 
practiced their profession from a half score to a score of 
years, and when other places offered greater inducements 
to make money, left Galena, some going to Chicago and 
others to California and other western states. Out of the- 
large number who located in Galena and moved to 
other places, an unusual proportion met with phenom- 
enal success, some achieving great distinction. I was 
acquainted with nearly all these professional and busi- 
ness men and can write of them knowingly. In the fol- 
lowing pages I will give my own impressions of these 
men and of others who settled here at an earlier time. 

The bar of Galena received an accession in the lat- 
ter part of the '40s in the advent of a young lawyer from 
Massachusetts named Benjamin R. Sheldon, who began 
the practice of his profession in an unostentatious way. 
He was liberally educated, of a retiring disposition and 
of courteous manner. As a business lawyer he had few 
equals at that bar, and his practice as a counselor was 
large and lucrative. Moreover, he was regarded by his 
associates at the bar as not only a sound, but a profound 
lawyer as well. He was elected judge of the circuit 
court of the district of Galena, and after several years^ 
service, was elected associate judge of the supreme court 
of the state, and later was chosen its Chief Justice. Judge 
Sheldon had the reputation of being one of the best 
judges of that court. His opinions were regarded as- 
sound, and were treated with consideration. He never 



28 

inarried. At liis death in 1896 he left an estate valued 
-at nearly two million dollars. 

Ben H. Campbell located in Galena in 1835, and 
soon after began business as a wholesale grocery mer- 
chant and continued in that business for over thirty 
years. In the '50s his business, extending into the lum- 
ber district of Central and Northern Wisconsin, was the 
largest of any other in the Northwest. In the latter 
part of the '60s he moved to Chicago to assume the duties 
of United States Marshal of the district of Northern 
Illinois, to which position he had been appointed as ihe 
successor of the Hon. J. Russell Jones, formerly a suc- 
cessful wholesale merchant at Galena, who had been ap- 
pointed by President Grant United States Minister to 
Belgium. I remember him well when he came to Ga- 
lena at that early time. He was a handsome young man 
of vivacity, genial manner, kindly disposition, and evi- 
dently the leader of a group of young men with whom 
be associated. In later years he was regarded as one of 
the shrewdest business men of that region. During his 
term of service of eight years as United States Marshal 
he became well known to the business men of Chicago 
and to the bar of the state. 

Among the young lawyers who came to Galena in 
1836 was Thomas W. Drummond. He was from the 
state of Maine, had received a college education, was 
well versed in law, and soon took a high position at the 
bar. Of a retiring disposition and courteous manner, 
he became popular with his fellow citizens. He took an 
active interest as a Whig in the noted political campaign 
of 1840, was elected a member of the state legislature 
and soon after judge of the circuit court of the Galena 
district and served for several years, proving a learned 
and impartial judge. He was appointed judge of the 
United States district of Illinois in 1850. Some years 



29 

later he was appointed judge of the United States Circuit 
Court and moved to Chicago. He served in that court 
until 1884, when he resigned and retired to private life. 
During his long term of service on the bench he earned 
the reputation of being one of the ablest judges on the 
Federal bench. I knew him well all these years, and 
admired him for his simplicity of character, amiable 
disposition and vari* d and profound learning. He was 
one of the most entertaining men in conversation I ever 
knew. Some time after the civil war, while in conver- 
sation with him, I said: "Judge, the first time 1 saw you 
at Galena I thought you were the best dressed man I had 
ever seen. You wore a silk hat, dark blue swallow-tail 
cloth coat with gilt buttons, and a light drab vest and. 
pantaloons." He laughed and replied: ''I remember 
well that suit of clothes. When I was about to leave 
Boston, I was told that I was going to a town where pro- 
fessional men dressed well, and that I must do the same. 
I bought the suit you mention, wore it a few times at 
Galena, when I came to the conclusion that it was not 
just the thing, and laid it away." The judge was always 
neatly but inexpensively dressed. 

In the latter part of the '30s William H. Bradley, a 
young lawyer, arrived in Galena. He was bright and 
good-looking, of a charming personality, great energy 
and of much business tact. He did not practice his pro- 
fession, but entered into business. An active and ardent 
Whig, he soon became a power in local politics. He was 
appointed clerk of the circuit court, which position he 
held for several years. He was a natural leader of men. 
In church, in politics and in business affairs he proved 
himself such. His popularity was great, and he became 
an active factor in advancing the moral and material in- 
terests of the community. He was appointed clerk of 
the United States district court (Judge Drummonds) in 



30 

the '50s and moved to Chicago. He filled the position 
with marked ability for over twenty-five years. During 
that time he became well known to and was highly es- 
teemed by all the people of the state. I knew Mr. Brad- 
ley for nearly half a century, and I regard him as one 
-of the strongest and best characters I ever knew. 

A few years after Judge Drummond had opened a 
law office in Galena, there came into his office a young 
lawyer from Eastern New York named J. M. Douglas. 
Modest and studious, and of more than average natural 
.ability, he began his profession and soon won a repu- 
tation as a successful lawyer in the trial of mining cases. 
His success was largely due to the pains he took in the 
preparation of his cases. Often before the trial of such 
a case he would hire a horse, ride out to the "diggings,"" 
careflluy inspect the premises by going down the mining 
shaft, and then try the case, usually before a justice 
court, for which expense and work he would receive the 
fee customary in such cases. His industry and careful 
saving of his earnings were known to all his friends, On 
one occasion, after the trial of a mining case, while pac- 
ing the floor of the office, he turned to Judge Drummond 
.and putting his hand on his pocekt, with his characteris- 
tic smile, said: "Drummond, money in a man's pocket 
is his best friend." There was in his pocket the com- 
paratively small fee just received from a client who had 
had his claim "jumped." Douglas became the attorney 
of the niinois Central railroad and moved to Chicago. 
His ability as attorney induced the board of directors to 
place him at the head of the management by electing 
him president. Under his forceful energy and tireless 
industry the affairs of this great corporation prospered. 
With him it was work, work, early and late, and all em- 
ployes under him had to do the same. Douglas worked 
(too hard. His brain gave way in time, and he was com- 



31 

pelled to seek rest and quiet on his farm in Jo Daviess 
county. 

In the latter part of the '30s there appeared at Ga- 
lena two young lawyers whose advent created some stir 
among the half score of lawyers who composed the Ga- 
lena bar. They were Joseph P. Hoge and Thompson 
Campbell, the former from Maryland and the latter 
from Pennsylvania. Both were well educated, and 
equally excellent lawyers. Both had the rare gift of 
oratory, but Campbell the keener intellect and was the 
wit of the bar. Hoge was tall, of symmetrical figure, 
and dressed with exquisite taste. Both were Democrats 
and intensely partisan, and became leaders in the Dem- 
ocracy of the state. They stood high at the bar and 
each had a lucrative practice. Hoge was elected to con- 
gress in 1849 and served one term, and made an envi- 
able record as a representative. Not long after he moved 
to California and practiced his profession in San Fran- 
cisco and was elected district judge. He was a promi- 
nent candidate for United States senator just before the 
civil war, but his affiliations with Southern men who 
had left the South to avoid the discomfort incident to 
war, which was regarded as inevitable, cast a shade of 
doubt as to his loyalty to the Union, and, although the 
favorate of the Democrats of the state, Satterly, a man 
of inferior ability, was chosen. It became clear later 
that Hoge had been misjudged, for his loyalty to the 
Union was sincere. Campbell, who had been the secre- 
tary of state under Governor Ford, was elected to con- 
gress from the Galena district to succeed Hoge and 
served one term. He was succeeded by E. B. Wash- 
burne. Campbell, whose ability as a lawyer was every- 
where recognized, was appointed by President Pierce 
judge of the United States Land Court of California, 
which position he held for many 3^ears before his death. 



32 

Campbell was a favorite with the bar of the state. His 
slight but graceful figure, keen and ready wit, and gen- 
tle and polished manner made him a favorite in society 
as well. 

Samuel M. Wilson located in Galena as a lawyer 
about 1840 and became Hoge's law partner. He was a 
close student, of untiring industry, and as a business 
lawyer had few equals at the bar. He removed to Cali- 
fornia with his partner and practiced his profession in 
San Francisco. He took a high position at that bar and 
was elected attorney for the Bank of California at an ex- 
ceptionally large salary, which position he held for near- 
ly a quarter of a century before his death. He has two 
sons in San Francisco, who have inherited much of their 
father's ability and who are successful practitioners at 
the San Francisco bar. 

Two young lawyers came to Galena about that 
time and opened the law office of Higgins & Higgins. 
The elder, Van H, Higgins, took a prominent position 
among the lawyers of the place. He was broadly edu- 
cated, learned in law, of exceptional ability in the trial 
of cases, and had the rare faculty of attracting men to 
him. He moved to Chicago in the early '50s and began 
his practice there. He was elected judge of the Superior 
Court of Cook county just before the civil war. He filled 
the position one term, proving himself an able and con- 
scientious jurist. After leaving the bench he devoted 
himself to his private affairs. He had great industry, 
fine administrative ability, and met with success. At 
the time of his death, in the latter '90s, he had accumu- 
lated a very large fortune. 

One of the most unique figures that came to the 
lead mines in the early '-lOs was Thomas Hoyne, a young 
lawyer from New York city, who began the practice of 
law in Galena. His industry, intense energy and su- 



33 

perior attainments as a lawyer, brought him into promi- 
nence at the bar. He was, although at times brusque in 
manner, kind-hearted and affable. He was an ardent 
Democrat and became a leader in his party. His convic- 
tions were decided and firm, and he was bold and fearless 
in their advocacy. After a few years' residence in Galena 
he removed to Chicago. His strong personality impressed 
itself on the people of that city, and he soon became one 
of its most prominent citizens. He was foremost in every 
scheme or enterprise undertaken to benefit the commun- 
ity. He won distinction at the bar of the state, and had 
the reputation of being, not only a learned lawyer, but 
also that of a forceful and convincing speaker. He had 
much of the spirit of the philanthropist and humanitar- 
ian, and was identified with many local charities. His 
untimely death by a railroad accident some years ago. 
was a great and almost irreparable loss to his adopted 
city. 

Phil A. Hoyne, brother of Thomas Hoyne, accom- 
panied him to Galena and entered a business house as a 
clerk, and not long afterwards engaged in business on 
his own account. In 1852 he followed his brother to 
Chicago, when, after studying law, he was appointed 
United States commissioner and commissioner of deeds 
for all the states, which position he held for over a quar- 
ter of a century. He became one of the best known and 
most highly esteemed citizens of that city. He was|a pro- 
nounced Republican, and in his quiet way was a power 
in the party, not only in the city, but in the county and 
state as well. Large-brained, large-hearted, of frank 
manner, and of amiability of disposition, he was one of 
Chicago's most popular citizens. 

Col. Edward D. Baker came to Galena from Spring- 
field, HI., where be had served in both houses of the leg- 
islature and had been elected a member of congress and 
c 



34 

served one term. He was regarded as the most brilliant 
orator in the state and had ability as a lawyer, but lacked 
industry and application. In the Mexican war he com- 
manded a regiment and won distinction. He was elected 
in 1848 to congress as a Whig, to represent the Galena 
district, and served one term without gaining much rep- 
utation. Soon after he removed to California and prac- 
ticed his profession in San Francisco, ran for congress 
and was defeated, then removed to Oregon, and was there 
elected United States senator. When the civil war broke 
out, he raised and commanded a regiment of volunteers, 
was soon appointed a brigadier general, and was killed 
at Ball's Bluff early in the war. I knew Col. Baker well 
at Galena. He was a man so full of good nature and of 
manner so charming, that one was naturally drawn to 
him. As a stump speaker I have never heard his equal. 
He was positively fascinating. 

In 1839 there came to Galena a singular character, 
in the person of Cyrus B. Denio, from the state of Mis- 
sissippi; a Whig of the most pronounced type, who im- 
mediately attracted notice. Without much education, 
he was intelligent, tactful and gifted as a fluent and forc- 
ible speaker. He entered the political campaign of 1840 
and canvassed, not only the lead mine region, but other 
portions of the state. He was a bricklayer by trade and 
was known as the "Mississippi Bricklayer." He was 
originally from Buffalo, N. Y. This man, with the cer- 
tain kind of energy he possessed and shrewdness withal, 
became a prominent and influential leader of the Whig 
party. He was elected a member of the general assembly 
of Illinois and made a most creditable record. He was 
re-elected and served a second term. His frank and 
easy manner, kindness of disposition and peculiar kind 
of homely wit made him a favorite, not only among his 
brother members, but also with the average citizen. He 



35 

was appointed by President Lincoln superintendent of 
the force eng.iged in the construction of the public works 
atMare Island, Cal., which position he held for several 
years. He also became a political leader in Northern 
California. 

About 1842 another young lawyer appeared in Galena 
named C. W. Churchman, and located there to practice 
law. The advent of this brilliant lawyer from the South 
had been heralded, and there was general curiosity to see 
and know him. In j)hysique he was of medium height 
and size, with dark complexion, piercing black eyes, and 
a manner both dignified and courteous. He had the gift 
of oratory and was a pleasing and forcible speaker. He 
soon took a high position at the bar and business came- 
to him rapidly. His success in jury trials was excep- 
tionally great. An old practitioner at that bar told me- 
years afterwards that Churchman was the hardest man to 
beat in a trial before a jury he had ever met. His habits 
were somewhat irregular, which militated against his- 
success as a practitioner. After having [)racticed his- 
profession in Galena for a decade, in a fit of anger 
or disgust, he left for the far West, on fuot with a 
rifle on his shoulder, joined an emigrant train near th« 
Missouri river starting for California, and crossed the 
plains with it. He continued the practice of law in 
some flourishing mining town and became an active poli- 
tician, affiliating with the Democrats. His reputation as 
a stump speaker soon became known and the honors 
were divided between him and my old friend, Frank M. 
Pixley, editor and proprietor of th» San P'rancisco "Ar- 
gonaut." Churchman ran as a Democrat for congress, 
made a brilliant canvass, but was defeated. Pixley was 
also nominated as a Republican in another district and 
was also defeated. Churchman, when making his can- 
vass in the villages and hamlets of mining districts,^. 



36 

rode a spotted broncho horse and Pixley a large mouse- 
colored Kentucky mule. Each was advertised in his dis- 
tri<'t by posters "'Churchman and his Broncho,' and 
'Pixley and his Mule' will be here to address the citi- 
zens," etc 

In 18')8, when I was in Utah as United States as- 
sessor of internal revenue, I had occasion to visit offi- 
cially the newly discovered gold mines of the Sweet- 
water Pass, in the riorthwestern corner of Wyoming. 
While there. Lawyer Churchman called upon mt- and 
made himself known. He was well dressed and had the 
look of a man doing well. His face, however, indicated 
that he had been living fast He said he was dt)ing well 
and gave me sonu account of his "ups and downs" in 
California in the twenty-five years previous. During 
the next early winter I had occasion to visit the city of 
Echo Canon, in Utah, forty miles east of Salt Lake City. 
I met Churchman again, who was in a very dilapidated 
condition; in fact he was a tramp and in the last stages 
of alcoholism. He died a few months later, utterly des- 
titute and friendless, and was buried in a pauper's grave. 
Alas, poor Churchman — he had been good to every one 
except liimself. 

About the middle of the '40s Robert S. Blackwell, a 
young lawyer, located in Galena to practice law, and at- 
tracted the attention of the bar and the citizens general- 
Iv by his unique appearance. He was a tall, black- 
haired, well dressed, jovial young fellow, who made 
friends rapidly. Well educated, industrious and ener- 
getic, he soon won the respect of his confreres in the 
profession. He was a good speaker and a good story 
.teller. When he could get a group of his friends to- 
gether he would indulge in recitations, story telling, etc. 
'greatly to their gratification. He removed to Springfield 
:ani then to Chicago, where he became well kn )wn to 



37 

the bar of Chicago and the state through his valuiible 
book "Blackwell on Tax Titles," which had a wide cir- 
culation and was regarded as a reliable work. 

About 1845 an accession to the Galena bar was made 
in the person of a young lawyer nained (Jrville C. Pratt, 
from the state of New York. He was a haiidsome man, 
who had just married a lady of rare beauty and accom- 
plishments. He was associated with Van Higgins in 
practice for a while and was regarded by his bn thers at 
the bar as a young lawyer of unusual ability, was a 
speaker of fluency and force, he was elected a member 
of the legislature and made a creditable record. He re- 
moved to California and then to Oregon, wnere he was 
appointed chief justice of the supreme court of the terri- 
tory, which position he filled for many years. Besides 
being learned as a jurist, he was a successful man of 
affairs and accumulated a large fortune before his death. 

One of the most remarkable men who settled in the 
Northwest in the early '30s was George W. Jones, who 
without being a really great man, was conspicuous for 
half a century as a public man, much of the time 
being in the National Legislature as a representative and 
senator. He was a native of Virginia. For some years 
after going west he resided at Sinsinawa Mound, ten 
miles northwest of Galena, and filled the position of sur- 
veyor general of the territory of the Northwest, which 
included Wisconsin and Iowa, He moved to Dubuque, 
Iowa, and was elected a member of congress and after- 
wards United States senator, which position he held for 
twelve years, when he was appointed United States min- 
ister resident at Bogota, New Grenada, by President 
Buchanan. He became acquainted with Jefferson Davis 
when he (Davis) was a lieutenant in the United States 
army at Fort Crawford, Prairie du Chien, and was a 
close friend ever after. At the breaking out of the war,. 



38 

•and when United States minister at Bogota, some of liis 
correspondence with President Davis, of fht; ("ont( derate 
states, was accidentally discovered, which led to his recall 
and imprisonment at Fort LaFayette. He was subse- 
quently released, but never again ^ ntered into politics. 
•Gen. Jones had great energy, general intelligence, a 
iiandsome person, and his suavity and attractive man- 
ner led to his being called the "Chesterfield'' of Wash- 
ington society. I saw the general a short time before his 
•death (1896), when he was 92 years of age and still active 
and his mental faculties unimpaired. For a half score 
•of years before his death he appreciated and regretted 
the mistake he had made in 1861, and became a thor- 
oughly loyal citizen. 

The spring of 1840 witnessed the advent in Galena 
of Elihu B. Washburne, from the state of Maine, a young 
lawyer recently a graduate from the Harvard Law school. 
I saw him for the first time at a Whig political meeting, 
wl ere he made his maiden speech in the West as a poli- 
tician. The address was described by an old citizen who 
'had heard it as a "rattling good speech." It was the talk 
on the streets for several days after. As T remember 
him he was of medium height, of slight build, fair- 
faced, well dressed, with an air about him that indicated 
energy and pluck. He took an active part in the mem- 
orable political campaign of 1840, and won laurels 
everywhere as a stump speaker. He associated himself 
for the practice of law with the Hon. Charles S. Hemp- 
stead, and at once took a high position at the Galena 
bar, which had at that time a large number of very able 
lawyers. All I will say about him now is that his ca- 
reer in public life, beginning in Galena, where he lived 
thirty years, was a remarkable one, and has hardly 
a parallel in this country. His indomitable will, force- 
ful energy ami untiring industry, keen discrimination 



39 

and sturdy integrity carried him froni the country })rint- 
ing office in Maine through twelve years of successful prac- 
tice as a lawyer, eight consecutive terms in congress, the 
Department of State as its Secretary, and United States 
Ambassador to France for eight years, where he achieved 
a world-wide reputation as a fearless, able and efficient 
official. I knew Mr. Washburne during his brilliant ca- 
reer, and for a quarter of a century before his death he 
was one of my most intimate friends. 

Cadwallader C. Washburn, a younger brother of 
Elihu, came to Galena in 1842 and studied law with the 
Hon. Joseph B. Wells, a distinguished lawyer at the Ga- 
lena bar, and afterwards moved to Mineral Point, 
Wis., in the northern part of the lead mines, where he 
formed a co partnership with Cyrus Woodman (now of 
New York city), a banker and extensive land agent. He 
never practiced his profession. He soon developed into 
a shrewd, practical and successful business man. In en- 
ergy, will power, industry and tenacity of purpose 
he resembled his brother Elihu. His firm was the 
agent of the "'New England Land Company," and 
when, in 1846, the state of Wisconsin put several million 
acres of school lands (mostly pine) into the market, the 
firm of Washburn & Woodman was made one of its 
agents. The lands were sold at an average of fifty cents 
per acre. Cadwallader bought all he could and induced 
his brother Elihu to do likewise. The latter bought 
some ten thousand acres of choice pine lands at the low 
price given above. Washburne like, he held these lands, 
paying the taxes which were nominal, until in the '80s, 
when he began to sell them. The greater portion were 
sold for over $20 per acre. The result of this venture 
made a large part of the handsome fortune he left at his 
death in 1887. In the '50s Cadwallader Washburn en- 
gaged largely in the manufacture of lumber at La 



40 

Crosse, Wis., and afterwards began the manufacture of 
flour at Minneapolis by an improved proce.^s with great 
success. He had as a partner in this enterprise his 
cousin, Dorilus Morrison, who for many years before had 
been an extensive manufacturer of lumber at St. An- 
thony Falls (Minneapolis). Mr. Morrison was an ex- 
ceptionally shrewd and level-headed business man, who 
operated on lines that invariably led to success. He also 
established extensive woolen mills in Minneapolis. At 
his death, a few years ago, he was regarded as one of the 
wealthiest men in Minnesota. Mr. Washburn was 
elected to congress twice from the La Crosse, Wis., dis- 
trict, and made a splendid record as an able, conscien- 
tious and conservative representative. At the breaking- 
out of the civil war he raised a regiment of cavalry, and 
before the end of the war was made a major general of 
volunteers. He was later elected governor of Wiscon- 
sin. At the time of his death he was a multi-millionaire. 
There sat in my Sunday school class at Galena in 
the latter part of the '40s a bright-eyed, large-headed, 
quiet boy of ten or twelve years of age, named Moses 
Hallett, the son of the first sheriff of our county. When 
he reached his majority, he studied law and was admit- 
ted to practice, and soon after went to Pike's Peak, Colo. 
He located in Denver, practiced his profession there, and 
was elected to the Territorial legislature. His strong 
practical sense, good judgment, industry and correct 
habits brought him to the favorable notice of the bar 
and of the citizens of Denver. President Lincoln ap- 
pointed him chief justice of the supreme court of the 
territory, and, after Colorado had become a state. Judge 
Hallet was elected chief justice of the new state. He 
has filled the honorable position ever since. Of such a. 
record few men in the far West can boast. His wise and 
able decisions, especially in litigation growing out of 



41 

mining claims, have been accepted by the bench in other 
states as sound. Judge Hallett has a judicial mind, cold 
blood judgment, and is impartial and conscientious. 

Madison Y. Johnson, a lawyer from the South, locat- 
ed in Galena the latter part of the '30s. He was a 
Whig and an ardent partisan and took an active part. 
in politics, doing much effective work as a "stump 
speaker." His presence wa& striking; he was tall, broad- 
shouldered, of swarthy complexion, bushy black hair,, 
and had a strong face. A man of much vanity, but of 
popular manners and a certain kind of dogged tenacity. 
He had the reputation of being a good jury lawyer, 
hence his success. After the Whig party had broken up, 
he affiliated with the Democrats and become a leader of 
prominence in the party. After the breaking out of the 
civil war, being an intense Southern &3mipathizer, he was 
charged with discouraging enlistments, arrested and 
sent to Fort La Fayette. He was soon releai^ed. and re- 
turned to his practice in Galena, a more quiet and proba- 
bly a wiser man. 

Of the score or more of lawyers practicing at the 
bar of the small commercial town of Galena in the '40s- 
and '50s, many of them remarkable men who afterwards 
achieved great distinction in other parts of tne country, 
only four are now (1899) living, and. strange to say,. 
three of the four are residents of Galena: Mr. J. N. 
Jewett, the fourth, is in Chicago in the active practice of 
his profession. The rest have all died. The three in 
Galena are Wellington W. Weigley, Robert H. Mc- 
Clellan and David Sheean. The first named (now re- 
tired from active practice) was one of Galena's earliest 
lawyers who always stood high in his profession. Hi& 
industry, tact and ability, to which was addtd the rare- 
gift of oratory, assured him success as a practitioner. 
As a jury lawyer he had few equals. 



42 

Robert H. McClellan, who in the earl}'' '40s came to 
Galena from the law office of Martin I. Townsend at 
Troy, N. Y., afterwards a prominent politician and dis- 
tinguished member of congress, had a strong and well- 
trained mind, a keen intellect, great industry, and was 
regarded by the old bar of Galena as one of its most 
learned members. In 1861 he was elected a member of 
the lower house of the legislature, and in the 70s to the 
state senate. He made a most excellent record in both 
instances. He was a prominent Republican, and after 
leaving the state senate, had he been as ambitious for 
preferment as the average citizen, he could have received 
the nomination for congress in his district, which would 
have been equivalent to an election. I have no doubt 
that had he tilled the position he would have made such 
a reputation as would have assured him still higher 
honors in his state. He has been a shrewd and dis- 
criminating business man and has accumulated a very 
large fortune. 

David Sheean. who was associated with General 
Rawlins in Galena in the practice of law before the war, 
has a judicial mind, is a careful, studious, able and suc- 
cessful lawyer, and has been a leader in the Democratic 
party for many years. Had he been ambitious for polit- 
ical preferment, he might have filled high positions of 
trust in his state. His younger brother, Thomas J. 
Sheean, who is associated with him in practice, has a 
high reputation for learning, tact and energy. 

In the autumn of 1847 I went to Elyria, Ohio, to 
marry Miss Emily Tenney, a young lady whose acquaint- 
ance I had made the year before in Galena. She had a 
fine physique, a strong intellect, and was well educated, 
unassuming and amiable. To give the reader some idea 
of the difficulties of travel in the West fifty years ago, as 
compared with the present, I will say that to reach 



43 

Elyria I had to go by stage from Galena to Milwaukee, 
where I took a steamer for Cleveland, and there a stage 
for twenty-five miles to my destination. After our mar- 
riage, it having become too late in the season to return 
by the lakes, we took a carriage and crossed the state of 
Ohio to the nearest point on the Ohio river, where we 
took a steamer for St. Louis, and then an U{)per Missis- 
sippi river steamer for Galena. It took me eight days to 
reach Elyria, and twelve days from Elyria to Galena. 
The journe}' from Galena to Elyria is now made in 
twenty hours. Eighteen months after our marriage my 
wife died, leaving a little boy, Arthur Henry, only a few 
days old. Miss Tenney, before our marriage, lived for 
some time with intimate friends, the family of Dr. Nor- 
ton S. Townshend in Elyria, a practicing physician of 
some celebrity. I became well acquainted with the doc- 
tor in after years. He was born in England and brought 
to this countrv b}' his parents when a child: was an 
original abolitionist and one of Ohio's earliest and most 
■active Freesoilers, and when a member of the lower 
house of the Ohio legislature was an important factor in 
the election of Judge Salmon P. Chase to the United 
States senate. The legislature on joint ballot was equal- 
ly divided between Whigs and Democrats; with Dr. 
Townshend and another member as Freesoilers who held 
the balance of power. A deadlock of several weeks was 
the result. A compromise was finally eflfected by the 
•choice of Judge Chase for United States senator, the 
nominee of the two Freesoil members. Dr. Townshend 
was elected a member of congress soon after, and when 
in Washington was a prominent figure in a group of 
Freesoilers headed by Senator Chase, with the "National 
Era" as the party organ, edited by Dr. Bailey, assisted 
by the graceful and forcible writer, Louis Clephane. 
Judge Chase's election to the United States senate was 



44 

the beginning of his brilliant career as a statesman^ 
which gives the foregoing facts in regard to his election 
much interest. 

The Democratic party of the lead mine region was 
usually in the majority during the '40s. Unlike the 
Whig party, which had a well conducted organ in the 
Galena Gazette, its organ at Galena was decidedly a 
"weakling." Its leaders determined on making a change. 
Two young men from Ohio, who were practical newspa- 
per men were induced to come to Galena and start a first- 
class paper to be the organ of the party. Horace A. 
Tenney and Henry W. Tenney, brothers, in 1845 bought 
out the old plant and began the publication of the 
"JefFersonian." They were both graduates of Middle- 
bury college, Vermont, and both practical printers, 
Horace, the elder, assumed the business management 
and Henry was editor-in chief. As he was a polished 
and forcible writer, his editorials were able and practical 
and were often reproduced by other papers in the North- 
west. At the end of two years it was found that the 
paper "didn't pay " A chronicler of events in Illinois at 
that time, when writing of newspapers, said that the 
"JefFersonian," under the management of the Tenneys, 
was unquestionably the best newspaper in the state. 
The Tenneys sold out their paper and Horace moved to 
Madison, Wis., and assumed the management of the 
"Wisconsin Argus, a Democratic paper of prominence. 
At that time the politics of the state was badly "mixed" 
and party feeling ran high. The "Argus" fought the 
Whig officials, past and present, and known as "Barstow 
and the balance," with vigor. Horace Tenney's editorials 
were bold, fearless and trenchant. "My purpose," he 
said, "is to make the 'Argus' a terror to the evil-doer." 
He continued as its manager several years. Henry Ten- 
ney went to Milwaukee, where, having previously studied 



45 

law and been admitted to the bar, he began the practice 
■of his profession. In the '60s he removed to Chicago 
.and entered the law office, as partner, of his brother, D. 
K. Tenney, a well-known, able and successful business 
lawyer. After a half-score years of successful practice, 
he returned to Wisconsin and retired from active practice. 



CHAPTER IV. 



GALENfl. AND THE NORTMWEST IN THE '50s. 



From 1845 to 1856 were Galena's "halcyon" days. 
It was then the most important commercial metropolis 
iu the Northwest. Its trade, which began in the later 
'30s, continued to increase steadily as the country devel- 
oped until beyond the middle of the '50s. In 1856 the 
statistics show that Galena did a larger wholesale busi- 
ness than Chicago. Lines of fine steamboats plied be- 
tween St. Louis and Galena bringing in merchandise 
and general supplies, and taking back lead and farming 
products. Then a line of first-class steamboats ran be- 
tween Galena and St. Paul. The "Northwestern Packet 
Company" was organized in 1852, with Ben H. Campbell 
as president and J. Russell Jones as secretary. It built 
some six or eight of the finest and fleetest steamboats 
that ever ran on the upper Mississippi river, and its busi- 
ness, far into the ,60s was large and lucrative. I have 
known in the busy season twelve to fifteen steamboats 
lying at the wharf of Galena at one time loading and 
unloading freight. The construction of the Milwaukee 
and Prairie du Chien railroad and the Galena and Chi- 
cago railroad seriously affected the trade of Galena, 
After 1856 its wholesale business declined year by year, 
so that by the close of the civil war, nearly one-half of 
its wholesale houses had either closed or moved elsewhere. 

Near the close of the '40s the tide of emigration^ 
mostly from the East, set in toward Northwestern Wis- 
consin, Northern Iowa and Minnesota. The supplies for 



47 

the new settlers up to 185'3 were nearly all obtained in 
Galena. Moreover, the output of the lead mines contin- 
ued unimpaired, with an advance in the price of lead. 
Thus Galena's prosperity can be acoounted for until it 
was checked by the construction of two railroads from 
Lake Michigan to the Mississippi river, already stated, 
and the general financial depression of 1857, which 
seriously affected the prosperity of the whole country. 

In 1852 I began business in Galena selling mer- 
chandise by wholesale and retail. I had very little cap- 
ital, but by hard work, careful management and strict 
economy I was reasonably successful. When I began 
we had in Galena some twenty wholesale houses, the 
largest part being in the line of groceries and dry goods. 
By 1856 this number had nearly doubled, and many 
of the houses which had started six to eight years before 
had doubled and quadrupled the volume of their busi- 
ness. The difficulties the merchant had to contend with 
in the early '50s and for years before wert;, first, the re- 
moteness of the markets where his stock of merchandise 
was bought. Almost all kinds of merchandise except 
sugar, rice, molasses and a few other articles were bought 
in New York, Boston and Philadelphia and shipped to 
Galena, usually by sailing vessels to New Orleans, from 
there to St. Louis by steamboat, and from St. Louis by 
upper Mississippi steamboats to Galena, consuming two 
or three months in transit. Merchants usually bought 
their stock of goods twice a year, and it was difficult to 
tell when buying, what the needs of the customers Wduld 
be. It was also a slow process to get in a reasonable 
time such articles as might be needed to fill up a line of 
goods which had become exhausted. When the financial 
depression came upon the country. Galena merchants 
suffered like the others, only in a less degree. 

As depreciated currency greatly aggravated the sit- 



48 

nation, the merchant was compelled to stand a serious 
loss from this cause. Gahna merchants had a consider- 
able trade in the lead mines, and, as the miners and 
smelters had long before refused to take currency for 
mineral or lead, all transactions with them had to be 
settled with gold. It is safe to assert that while one-half 
of the merchants in the West and Northwest failed, this 
was only the case with but three or four out of some 
forty mercantile houses in Galena. I suffered with the 
rest, but managed to "weather the storm." Among the 
merchants at Galena many were men of great shrewd- 
ness, who operated upon lines that were broad, but con- 
servative and safe. Such men would have been success- 
ful almost anywhere. Lucius S. Felt and his brother, B. 
F. Felt, Stillman and Rood, Fosterand Stahl, J. A. Pack- 
ard, McMaster and Hempstead, B. H. (/ampbell, George 
W. Campbell, H. F. McCloskey, J. Russell Jones and 
William and James Ryan were some of Galena's 
leading merchants in the '50s. The last named firm at 
a later time became large packers in Galena and Du- 
buque. Our banking facilities were ample. Henry and 
Nathan Corwith, who began business as private bankers 
in the early '30s and later organized the National Bank of 
Galena, were men of large capital, conservative and able 
as financiers, and had won a national reputation as bank- 
ers. James Carter also operated a private bank during 
the '50s. His moneyed relations with George Smith, 
banker at Chicago, and Alex Mitchell, banker at Milwau- 
kee, were close. Some time after the war the Corwiths 
sold out their Galena business and moved to Chicago, 
where they became well and favorably known in finan- 
cial circles. 

A little after the middle of the '40s a j'oung man, 
George F. Magoun, of Bath, Me., a recent graduate of a 
college of that state, appeared in Galena for the purpose 



49 

of opening a high grade school for boj's. He was a 
bright, clean-cut man of attractive address, and who at 
once made a favorable impression on the people of Ga- 
lena. He succeeded in his mission, and after having 
managed his school for two years, returned east and went 
through a thaological course of scudy, came back to the 
West, and, as a home missionary, took charge of a church 
in a mining town near Galena. Soon after he accepted 
a call from the Second Presbyterian church of Galena 
and became its pastor, I severed my connection with 
the First Presbyterian church and united with the Second 
church to aid the new organization. Mr. Magoun proved 
an unusually learned and eloquent preacher. After a few 
years' service as pastor he had a serious difficulty with 
the officers of the church, which induced him to leave 
the ministry. He went to Burlington, la., and entered 
the law office of the learned lawyer and brilliant orator, 
Henry W. Starr. He was soon admitted to the bar and 
began the practice of law. Mr. Starr said of him that 
he was the best lawyer of his age in the state ot Iowa. 
Magoun soon wearied of his new profession and returned 
to the ministry. He preached for a few years in Daven- 
port, la,, when he was elected president of Iowa College 
at Grinnell, and he filled the posstion in a most satisfac- 
tory manner for nearly a quarter of a century. Dr. 
Magoun was in many respects a rare man. He was en- 
dowed with a strong intellect, immense will force, had 
great and varied learning, and withal was a fluent and 
forcible speaker. He took an active interest in educa- 
cational and kindred matters, and his death, which oc- 
curred some years ago, was a serious loss to his state and 
to the Northwest. 

Near the close of the '40s Dr. Magoun induced a 
young theological student. Rev. E. D. Neill, who had 
just been ordained to the ministry, to come west as a 

D 



50 

liome missionary. He filled a pulpit for two years at 
Elizabeth, a mining town near Galena, and then moved 
to St. Paul, Minn., and organized the first Presbyterian 
church in that place. Dr. Neill was mentally and mor- 
ally a strong man. and soon impressed himself upon the 
people of that new town. He resided in St. Paul nearly 
half of a century, and was an active and potent fac- 
tor in pushing forward the interests of religion, morals 
and education. Dr. Neill was appointed United States 
consul to Dublin in the '80s. 

When Governor Slade of Vermont started in the 
middle of the '50s the scheme to prepare young women 
for school teaching, to be sent to the Territory of Minne- 
sota, Dr. Neill and the Rev. Aratus Kent, of Galena, 
were the managers of the Western end of the line of op- 
erations. A school of instruction was opened and main- 
tained in New Haven, where a large number of young 
women of from 21 to 35 years of age were trained as 
school teachers and'were then sent St. Paul in groups of 
a dozen or more, all passing on their route through Ga- 
lena, from which place they were taken to St. Paul by 
steamboat. On arriving at their destination they were 
assigned to the localities in the territory where they were 
most needed. The project was not carried on long, for 
an unexpected trouble arose. The young women often, 
after having taught school for a few months or longer, 
were induced to give up teaching to become the wives of 
the bachelor settlers. An old and prominent citizen of 
St. Paul, who had taken much interest in Governor 
Slade's scheme, told me years afterwards, when speaking 
of this matter, that if the governor failed in giving Min- 
nesota good teachers, he certainly did not fail in giving 
it good wives. 

John N. Jewett, a young lawyer from Maine, located 
in Galena in the early '50s, and associated himself for 



51 

the [H'actice of his profession witli Wellington W. Weigley. 
He had received a collegiate education, had a jmiicial 
mind, was a close student, careful and methodical in 
the preparation of his cases. His ability as a lawyer 
was at once recognized by the bar. In disposition he 
was c^uiet, urbane and self-contained, always giving the 
impression of reserve power. Alter a few years of prac- 
tice at the Galena bar, he removed to Chicago, where he 
opened a law office. He was chosen by the manage- 
ment of the niinois Central railroad as counsel at Chi- 
cago. He served one term in the senate of the State 
Legislature, making a creditable record as an able, dis- 
criminating and conscientious legislator. His opinions 
and judgment in regard to railroad law have always 
been treated with consideration by the bench and bar. 
During President Hayes administration his claims and 
fitness for a seat as Justice of the United States Suj)reme 
Court were seriously entertained, with a view to his ap- 
pointment. He is favorably known to railroad lawyers 
throughout the country. 

In the autumn of 1853, on my return from the East, 
where I had gone to buy goods, I met and became ac- 
quainted with a bright, clear-headed young man, who 
was on his way to Galena 'O take a clerkship in a whole- 
sale clothing house. This man was Edward A. Small, 
who afterwards became well known as an able and suc- 
cessful lawyer. Small, after having filled a clerk's posi- 
tion for a year, went into another clothing house as a 
partner, sold out in two years, and entered Wellington 
W. Weigley's law office as a student. He was a persist- 
ent worker and at the end of two years was admitted to 
the bar. He practiced his profession in Galena with un- 
usual success until after the civil war, when he moved to 
Chicago and continued his practice there. His industry, 
devotion to business, success in the trial of cases, and 



5'^ 

his amiability of disj)05ition, brought to liim a large and 
lucrative practice. iVs a business lawyer and counselor 
he was prominent, and as a trial lawyer was remarkably 
successful. He died some half-score of years ago, leav- 
ing his family a handsome competency. At the time of 
his death I had known him intimately for over a quar- 
ter of a century. His strength of characti-r, with a rare 
faculty of attaching men to him, made him a favorite 
with all classes. Although an ardent Republican, he 
declined all offers of political preferment. 

W. R. Marshall, with his older brother, the younger 
having hardly reached his m-.ijority, came to Galena 
from Quincy, 111., locoted a mining claim a few miles 
north of Galena, built a miner's cabin and worked their 
"diggings" several years. From the lead mines the 
young men moved to the Territory of Minnesota in 1849. 
They opened the first general merchandise store at St. 
Anthony, and a few years later an iron and hardware 
store in St. Paul. They wes-e successful in business, and 
in 1855 W. R. Marshall engaged in banking in St. Paul. 
He served one term in the Territorial Legislature. Soon 
after the breaking out of the civil war he entered the 
volunteer service as colonel of the Seventh Minnesota 
Infantry, and at the close of the war was made a brtga- 
dier general by brevet. Soon after the war General Mar- 
shall was elected governor of the state of Minnesota and 
served four years. Gen. Marshall was of a modest, re- 
tiring disposition, of attractive manner, and always pop- 
ular with the masses. He was a brave and efficient sol- 
dier in the war and his record was a most creditable one. 

I met and became acquainted with Governor Alex 
Ramsey of Minnesota in 1853, on a Mississippi steamer 
going to St. Paul. He was then governor of the Terri- 
torv of Minnesota and afterwards governor of the State 
of Minnesota. He impressed me as being a man of men- 



53 

tal force, sound judgment, great general intelligrnce and 
of decided convictions. He served as United Statss sen- 
ator one term and was Secretary of War during a pa t 
of President Hayes' administration, and aftei wards tilled 
other high positions of trust under the Federal govern- 
ment. He still lives in Minnesota in retirement and is 
one of its most esteemed and honored citizens. 

In the latter part of the '40s I became acquainted 
at Galena with Cyrus Aldrich, then in charge of the 
business of the stage line of Frink & Walker. He soon 
after moved to Minneapolis, Minn., and engaged in busi- 
ness. He was succeeded at Galena by L. P. Sanger, of 
Lockport, 111. In the latter '50s he was elected a mem- 
ber of congress for the Minneapolis district. He was 
tall and robust, of much practical intelligence and indus- 
try, of sturdy integrity and of unassuming manner. He 
made a valuable representative, never forgetting the in- 
terests of his constituents while attending to national 
affairs. In the early spring of 1861 I met him often in 
Washington. On one occasion he came into the room 
of our mutual friend, E. B. Washburne, the Galena 
member of congress, where 1 happened to be, and re- 
marked: "Well, Washburne, I have done it. I have 
just had a postmaster appointed at Minneapolis. There 
were eleven candidates for the place, all good men and 
all well endorsed. I presume what I have done will 
make me ten enemies and possibly one ingrate." 

One of the earliest and best steamboatcaptains on 
the upper Mississippi, who lived in Galena, married 
there, and for many years was a great favorite with its 
people was Captain Russell Blakeley. He moved to St. 
Paul in the early '50s, engaged in the staging business 
on an extended scale and afterwards became interested 
in railroad enterprises in the state of Minnesota. He was 
a clear-headed, upright business man of much force and 



54 

decision of character. He met with success in these va- 
rious enterprises and is now retired and living in St. 
Paul, one of its wealthiest and most highly esteemed 
citizens. 

Ex-Governor L. F. Hubbard, of Red Wing, Minn., 
I knew during the civil war, when he commanded the 
Fifth regiment Minnesota Infantry. He enlisted as a 
private, and in less than two years he had command of 
the regiment. He was young, active, brave and well 
versed in all matters relating to his duties as regimental 
commander, and his unfailing devotion to them made 
him a favorite with all his superior officers. At the 
close of the war he was brevetted a brigadier general for 
conspicuous gallantry. Soon after the war he was elect- 
governor of the state of Minnesota and served four 
years. He filled many other positions of honor and 
trust in his state. 1 was gratified to learn that his fine 
soldierly qualities had been recognized by President 
McKinley who appointed him a brigadier general in the 
late Spanish-American war. 

Colonel Hubbard in 1862 had a chaplain in his 
regiment in the person of Father Ireland, a young priest 
from St. Paul. I noticed his activit}- and ceaseless de- 
votion to the sick and wounded of his regiment, always 
shown in a quiet and unostentatious manner. Some 
years after the war I met my young army friend again 
at Minnetonka, Minn., at a reunion of the Army of the 
Tennessee, and renewed a pleasant acquaintance begun 
in the war. He was then bishop pnd is now an arch- 
bishop of the Catholic church. I have become well ac- 
quainted with this distinguished prelate and regard him 
as one of the most remarkable men I ever knew. Arch- 
bishop Ireland has great learning, excellent judgment, 
rare administrative ability, energy, will force, piety, and 
withal, modesty and rare simplicity of character. His 



55 

zeal in his calling is unsurpassed, and his broad, prac- 
tical and advanced views touching united Christian 
effort, without regard to sect or denomination, to bless 
and to elevate mankind to a higher moral plane, are pro- 
nounced. He is a strong and convincing public speaker. 

Among the Minnesotians who had been residents of 
Galena, and whom I knew well, was the late Judge J. M. 
Shaw, one of the "Galena boys" in the early '50s, and 
who studied law in the office of General John A. Raw- 
lins. He moved to Minneapolis before the civil war to 
practice law, entered the volunteer service as a private 
and rose to the rank of captain. His army record was 
a most creditable one. He resumed the practice of his 
profession in Minneapolis, became prominent at the bar, 
and in the '80s was elected judge of the circuit court of 
that district, where he made a fine reputation for learn- 
ing, ability and impartiality. He served several years 
on the bench, when failing health compelled him to re- 
sign. His death occurred less than two years ago. He 
was always an assiduous student, and his tastes were 
literary. 

About the middle of the '50s [ became acquainted 
with a young man who was a second or "mud clerk" on 
one of our upper river steamboats, whose business it was 
to receive and discharge all freight. His energy, correct 
and rapid manner of transacting business and good 
nature, made him a favorite. His name was James J. 
Hill. Soon after he located in St. Paul and went into 
business for himself In time he became interested in 
a steamboat line running on Red river, and then into 
some railroad scheme. A little more than a decade ago 
he undertook the gigantic enterprise of building the 
Great Northern railroad, which, with consummate tact, 
energy and ability, he succeeded in completing. Mr. 
Hill,known as the "Railroad King," was elected the pres- 
ident of its board of directors. 



56 

About 1852 I became well acquainted at Galena 
with W. 0. Burbank, who had started a collecting and 
express business between Galena and the upper river 
towns, giving his personal attention to the business. He 
not long afterwards located in St. Paul, and became 
the partner of Captain Russell Blakeley in his stage and 
railroad enterprises. He was a careful, industrious, 
shrewd and resourceful man of affairs, and met with 
great success, and died a few years ago leaving a very 
large estate. 

Dr. Charles H. Ray came to Galena from Spring- 
field, ni., in 1854, and assumed the position of editor and 
manager of the weekly "Jeffersonian," the organ of the 
Democratic party of the lead mines. The office of the 
"Jeffersonian" was next door to my place of business, 
and I not only saw a good deal of the doctor, but grew 
to be very fond of him. He seemed to lack "push" in 
the management of the paper. I knew his ability as a 
writer, and he, in his work on that little country paper, 
was like a "giant playing with straws." The doctor 
made his paper a very readable one, but its circulation 
was not large, and the majority of his readors were not 
of the appreciative kind. After two or three years spent 
in Galena he removed to Chicago and became associated 
with Mr. Medill in editing the Chicago Tribune. It 
soon became apparent that the doctor was a writer of 
great ability, and his reputation became national. He 
had much of the milk of human kindness in his na- 
ture, natural ability, rare practical intelligence, and 
when thoroughly aroused, wrote with vigor and force. 
Socially he was always entertaining, and had in him 
what the French call "bonhomie." After he left Galena 
I seldom saw him, until the winter of 1860-61, when he 
was in Washington writing for the Tribune. 

There lies in the cemetery in the village of Hazel 



57 

Green, less than ten miles from Galena and just over the 
border of Wisconsin, the body of a very remarkable 
man, James G. Percival, the poet and geologist. This 
grave was unmarked until within a few years, when 
some friends and admirers erected over it a modest mar- 
ble monument. Dr. Percival came to the lead mines 
from Connecticut in the early 50's to do some geological 
work for the American mining company, and in 1853 
was appointed geologist for the state of Wisconsin. He 
was seen often on the streets of Galena and was known 
to some of its citizens. He lived while at Hazel Green 
in the family of Dr. Jenckes, a practicing physician of 
the place. Dr. Percival was a man ^of great learning. 
He read ten languages, was a physician, philologist, 
geologist, botanist, musician and poet. His habits were 
erratic, and by nature he was retiring and inclined to 
melancholy. He was highly gifted as a poet and began 
to write verse at the age of 15. At the age of 20, while 
in college, he wrote the tragedy of "Zamor." I knew 
the doctor somewhat while he lived in Hazel Green. 
Very few people knew him well. His dress and manner 
were so peculiar that he was usually taken, when seen on 
the streets, for an ordinary miner who had had a "streak 
of bad luck." All the money he made he put into 
books. He died poor, except that his library after his 
death was sold for the handsome sum of $20,000. 

On a farm a few miles northwest of Hazel Green, lived 
a family named Evans. In the early '50s a well-grown 
boy named Henry Clay Evans often passed over the 
"plank road" going to Galena driving a team of horses 
drawing a wagon loaded with products of the farm. 
When the war broke out, Henry Clay Evans enlisted in 
a Wisconsin regiment of volunteers. By the end of the 
war he had risen to the rank of captain by sheer merit. 
He had been brave, faithful and efficient. After the war 



58 

Captain Evans located at Chattanooga, Tenn., and went 
into business. He was fairly well educated, ambitious, 
energetic, tactful, persistent and a good public speaker. 
He soon became a prominent and influential politician. 
He was nominated for governor, made a splendid can- 
vass and was elected, but the legislature "counted him 
out." I met him in Chattanooga three years later, when 
he seemed not at all "cast down" by the unfair treatment 
he had received. President McKinley appointed him 
United States commissioner of pensions, which position 
be is filling with marked ability. Captain Evans has in 
him the elements of success in a high degree. 

A large wholesale boot and shoe house was opened 
in Galena in 1845 by James and Benjamin F. Adams, 
two young men from Boston. I became intimately ac- 
quainted with them. They had received training as 
merchants and were not lacking in moral stamina. Some 
five years later they sold out their business and moved 
to ('hicago, where they engaged in the manufacture of 
flour. They had energy and keen business discrim- 
ination, and soon were some of the leading manufactur- 
ers and operators in flour in the West. James died 
about the middle of the '50s. Benjamin F. lived in Chi- 
cago until 1880, when he died, leaving a large estate. 

James Rood, of the firm of Stillman & Rood, whole- 
sale grocery merchants of Galena in the '40s and '50s, 
moved to Chicago soon after the war and engaged largely 
in the iron business as the agent for several iron mines 
in Wisconsin. Mr. Rood gained the reputation at an 
early time of having keen business perception, quiet en- 
ergy and good judgment. He has always been careful and 
conservative in his business methods and successful. He 
has retired from active business and is living at Evans- 
ton, 111. 

William J. Quan, when a young man, began busi- 



59 

ness in Galena as a grocery and provision merchant. His 
close application to business, energy and industry made 
him successful, and soon after the civil war he located in 
Chicago and opened a wholesale grocery house. He 
soon became one of the leading merchants of Chicago in 
that line of trade. In the management of his great 
business, Mr. Quan has always followed conservative, 
practical and safe lines. 

About that time Edward Hempstead, of the firm of 
McMaster & Hempstead, wholesale grocers in Galena, 
moved to Chicago and with Thomas H. Beebe, another 
Galena merchant, engaged in the lumber business and 
soon became prominent in lumber circles. They were 
clear-headed and energetic business men. Mr. Hemp- 
stead died some years ago. Mr. Befbe is living in retire- 
ment at Evanston, HI. 

In 1857, through the influence of political friends in 
Northern Illinois, Governor W. H. Bissell, who had 
been elected the year before, appointed me one of three 
aides on his staff with the rank of colonel of cavalry. 
The governor was one of the most noted and popular 
men in the state, and was elected the year before by the 
Freesoil-Republican vote. He had served in the Mex- 
ican war as captain of the Second regiment of Illinois 
volunteers, and, I think, with a higher rank later, and 
particularly distinguished himself at Buena Vista. He 
represented ihe Belleville district in congress two terms 
before the Mexican war, was a forcible and ready debater 
and a prominent and useful member. His health failed 
in the early '50s, he became partially paralyzed, and 
while he was governor was compelled to use crutches. 
While he was in congress opposing the passage of the 
Missouri compromise measure he became involved in a 
controversy with the Southern Democrats and hot words 
passed between him and Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi, 



60 

on the subject of the bravery of the Northern, as com- 
pared with that of the Southern soldiers, which led to a 
challenge from Mr. Davis. In accepting the challenge, 
Colonel Bissell chose as the weapons, muskets at thirty, 
paces, loaded with a ball and three buckshot. Mr. 
Davis' friends interfered and the duel was not fought. 
The governor died before the end of his term, and Lieu- 
tenant Governor Wood served until the inauguration of 
Governor Yates, 

In the summer of 1856 a distinguished statesman, 
in the person of Senator Charles Sumner, visited Galena. 
He was making a tour of the West for the first time, and 
had a letter to me. His tour was not one for pleasure 
alone, but also to learn from personal observations more 
about the great West. He had come from the East by 
way of the Ohio river, and intended to go up the Miss- 
issippi river to Minnesota and then back east by the 
lakes. The senator expressed a desire to see one of our 
best lodes. I took him to the Marsden "diggings." some 
three miles south of the city, then producing large quan- 
tities of lead ore. When we had reached there he ex- 
pressed a desire to go down the main shaft. The mana- 
ger supplied him with a loose miner's suit of clothes, 
and thus e(iui[){)ed he went down the shaft to the princi- 
[)al horizontal drift, at a depth of seventy feet. With a 
candle and pick he explortd the mine. When he re- 
turned he had some fine specimens of ore, which he had 
dug out himself and with which he was greatly pleased. 
The next day he said he would like to visit one of our 
smelting furnaces, and I accompanied him to Hughlett's 
furnace, two miles north of the city, which he inspected 
with great interest. He asked many questions in regard 
to the process of smelting lead ore. In speaking of farm- 
ing lands afterwards, he said he was surprised to find the 
S(nl in the mining district so fertile and so generally cul- 



61 

tivated, I enjoyed the senator's visit. He was genial 
and communicative, and entertained me with liis im- 
{)ressions of that portion of the West he had seen, and 
with incidents connected with his life when a young man. 

In the summer of 1859 I went to Europe, to be gone 
the greater part of a year. I had been in business at 
Galena for over seven years, had passed through the "hard 
times" of 1857-8, and felt I needed rest and recreation. 
I sold out my interest in tlie store to J. Bates Dickson, 
formerly my chief clerk, and who for two years had had 
a pecuniary interest in the business. In those days it 
was no small matter to go to Europe, and few Americans 
went there as compared to the present. I was tliirty-five 
years of age, full of enthusiasm, and had a strong desire 
to see the old world, especially the land of my fathers in 
the French speaking canton of Neuchatel, in dear old 
Switzerland, lying on the southeastern slope of the Jura 
mountains, which I had often heard my good mother de- 
scribe as being so beautiful. I sailed from New York to 
Liverpool on the splendid steamer "City of Paris." I 
had a pleasant an(i uneventful passage of nine davs, 
then deemed a speedy trip, 1 visited the manufacturing 
districts of Staffordshire and the manufacturing city of 
Sheffield, where I had some orders filled for my successor 
in business at Galena. I then went to the great city of 
London, with a population much less than that of Chi- 
cago to-day. After a two weeks' sta}' in London, and 
a brief visit to Windsor Castle and Stratford-on-Avon, 
the home of Shakespeare. I })roceeded to Paris, which 
city, when I came to see it, was the realization of a life- 
long dream. To tell of all I saw that interested me 
there would till many a page. 

From Paris I journeyed by railroad to Switzerland, 
going first to Geneva and then to Neuchatel and to the 
village of Lignieres near by, where my mother was born 



62 

and reared, and where my father and mother were mar- 
ried in 1820, the year before their immigration to the 
Selkirk settlement on Red river in British America, with 
the French-Swiss colony, which went by the northern or 
Hudson Bay route. I found there an uncle and an 
aunt, well-to-do })eople, who were land owners, and who 
welcomed me warmly. In fact, I was as great a curiosity 
to them and to the rest of the villagers as if I had come 
from another world. This village, situated at the lower 
end of the valley of St. Iraier, a broad and fertile valley 
in which were some ten or twelve villages, surrounded 
by their little plats of fertile lands of from ten to forty 
acres. The peo[)le in those villages were prosperous, cul- 
tivating their lands in the summer, and making by 
hand, laces and watch works in the winter. From the 
villages in this valley can be seen all the grand range of 
the snow-capped Alps. I walked up the valley some 
twelve miles, crossed the divide into another valley, 
where is the village of Tramelan, where my 
fater was born and lived until the age of 18, when he 
went to Lignieres. There I found an aunt, the oldest 
of a family of seven children, my father being the 
youngest and only son. This dear old lady was over- 
joyed to see me, and on the second day of my visit to 
her she accompanied me on foot up the valley to the 
Jura divide to LaCle, where stood an old castle owned by 
our family, the Chatelains (the original name of the fam- 
ily) in the Sixteenth century. The name Chatelain 
means the owner or governor of a castle. From Tramelan 
I proceeded to Berne by diligence. This old historic 
city was full of interest to me. From it is obtained a 
view of tne vast range of the Alps from Mt. Blaiic 
and Monte Rosa to the Schreckhorn in the German Alps 
a view grand beyond description. I visited among 
other places the old cathedral, with its enormous bell. I 



63 

ascended to the bell tower to get a good view of the Alps,. 
I found there a pale-faced youth of some 18 years of age, 
who pointed out to me and described in a remarkably 
intelligent manner the various peaks of the ran2;e. 
When leaving the place I offered him, as is customary,, 
a piece of silver, which he declined to take, saying that 
he was not the custodian, but for a day had taken his 
place, was a student, etc. I became interested, and on 
questioning him found he was a student in an academy 
there and that his name was Vuille. I remarked that I 
had an aunt, a widow, in that city of tliat name and that 
the family were from the Jura. He replied that she 
must be his mother. It proved true, and 1 met the stu- 
dent, my cousin, at his mother's hou.se the next day. 
From Berne I made my way to Lausanne, on Lake 
Geneva and via Vevay and the castle of Chilon to the 
head of the lake, and by railway to Martigny, from 
which place I visited the Hospice of Great St. Bernard 
in the St. Bernard pass, where I spent the night and saw 
a number of fine St. Bernard dogs, and afterwards went 
to Chamony at the foot of Mt. Blanc. I ascended the 
valley of the Rlione and crossed the Alps via the Simp- 
Ion Pass into Italy. I visited Lakes Maggiore and Como, 
and then went to the beautiful city of Milan. After a 
few days stay there, I proceeded to Venice, via Padua, 
and on my return visited the battlefields of Magenta and 
Solfareno and took in the famous Quadrilateral, the great 
fortification of Northern Italy, and then went to Turin, 
a most interesting city to the tourist. 

When I was in Geneva, I made the acquaintance of 
the great Calvanistic theologian, Dr. Malan. He kindly 
gave me a letter to his son. Professor Malan, of the theo- 
logical school of the Waldensian church at La Tour, 
where young men were being educated for the ministry 
in the Waldensin or Vandois church. La Tour is thirty 



64 

•miles from Turin, at the junction of three valleys on the 
southern slope of the Alps near Pincrol, the capital of a 
small province inhabited by 22,000 Vandois, a people or 
sect that was an offshoot of the Calvanistic church. The 
sect was founded by Peter Waldo. I took a walk of 
some ten miles up one of the valleys and gained much 
valuable information in regard to the habits and customs 
of this singular people, who, although intensely Protest- 
ant, have always been favored by the Italian (Catholic) 
government. The principal industry of this people is 
the manufacturing of raw silk from the cocoon. I was 
cordially received by Prof. Malan, to whom I had a let- 
ter, who invited me to spend some days with him at La 
Tour. The theological school with which he was con- 
nected was then supported largely by contributions made 
by sympathizing and generous people living in London, 
England. 

From Turin I proceeded south to Genoa, and from 
there to Pisa and B'^lorence, the latter place being one of 
great interest to the intelligent tourist, on account of its 
numerous collections of rare paintings and otl er works 
of art, and prized by all for its lovely winter climate. I 
spent three weeks, including Christmas week, in Rome, 
and witnessed its interesting and attractive festivities. 
With a number of other Americans I was presented to 
the Pope, Pio Nino, by the United States minister, the 
Hon. Hr. Stockton. The Pope was one of the handsom- 
est old gentlenien I had ever seen, gracious in manner, 
w'ith a face indicative of benevolence and amiability of 
disposition. I had the pleasure of listening to the 
Pope's choir in St. Peter's cathedral, composed of twenty- 
five male voices, the finest I had ever heard. The so- 
prano was a young Italian of 21 years of age, with a 
voice purer, sweeter and more powerful than that of the 
famous prima donna, Stephanoni, who had sung there 



65 

in grand opera the year before. Rome will never cease 
to interest the American visitor, of whom there were an 
unusually large number that winter. 

After leaving Rome I proceeded to Naples for a two 
weeks' stay. From there I returned to Paris, stopping at 
Marseilles and Lyons on the way. I remained in Paris 
nearly a month, visiting places of interest in the vicinity. 
While there I met at breakfast, in the house of a mutual 
friend, Edmund About, the clever and popular French 
writer, who was then being lionized in Paris on account 
of his book, written in Rome the summer before, entitled 
■"The Roman Question." In this book the writer severe- 
ly criticised the Italian government, including the Pope 
and church. It was issued just after the Austrio-Italian 
war of the summer of 1859, in which France had be- 
come involved. The book was condemned by the church 
and the state and Mr. About was ordered to leave Italy. 
His expulsion created great excitement in France, es- 
pecially in Paris. On his return to Paris he was received 
with great enthusiasm and was the hero of the da}'. 
Mr. About was a modest but agreeable gentleman of wide 
information, and although of smaller physique, remind- 
ed me by his looks and manner when talking of my old 
Oalena friend, Dr. C. H. Ray. I corresponded with him 
for some time after my return to the United States. By 
early spring I found myself at home again, a wiser man 
for the experiences of the eight months abroad. 

I first met Captain U. S. Grant, an ex-captain of the 
United States army, in the spring of 1860 at Galena on 
my return from Europe. He had come there from St. 
Louis during my absence abroad, to take a position as 
<;lerk in the wholesale and retail leather store of J. R, 
'Grant & Co., his father being the senior member of the 
firm. He filled the place in the store of his older broth- 
er, Simpson Grant, who had been incapacitated by sick- 

E 



66 



ness and who died the year after. Captain Grant, after 
having left the army some six years before, had been en- 
gaged in farming near the city of St. Louis, but had met 
with poor success. He brought his family, consisting of 
his wife and four children, from St. Louis in the spring 
of 1860. He rented a comfortable brick house at a 
rental corresponding with his salary, which was less than 
$1,000 a year. In the store he was really more than an 
ordinary clerk, for he at times was a salesman, and at 
other times a collector, going out to country towns, and 
occasionally doing the work of a bookkeeper. The firm 
bad no tannery in Galena, but bought green hides in the 
Galena market, shipped them to Covington, Ky., where 
the tannery was located, and after having tanned them 
reshipped them to Galena. He led a quiet life and 
seemed little inclined to make the acquaintance of his 
fellow citizens, but was highly esteemed by all who knew 
him. With his family, he was a regular attendant at 
the Methodist Episcopal church. He was a free and in- 
teresting talker and frequently entertained his friends 
and neighbors by the hour in relating his experiences 
in the Mexican war and while stationed a few years on 
the Pacific coast. He was not an active politician, but 
took a deep interest in all political questions before the 
country. Although a Whig in early life, he supported 
Mr. Buchanan for the presidency, but became a Freesoil 
Democrat before the end of his administration. He took 
little part in the exciting campaign of 1860, but favored 
the election of Senator Douglas for president, and would 
have voted for him had his time of residence in Illinois 
given him the right to vote. 

The great political campaign of 1860, which resulted 
in the election of Abraham Lincoln to the presidency, 
will ever be a memorable one. I returned from Europe 
in time to be infused with the enthusiasm that pervaded 



67 

the people of the northern states, especially those who 
had been Freesoilers. Illinois, the adopted state of Mr. 
Lincoln, led in this enthusiasm. I heard Mr. Lincoln at 
Freeport in 1858, while having a joint debate with Sena- 
tor Douglas, t^^nd was impressed with his great ability as 
a debater and the fairness and honesty of his utterances. 
I attended the National Republican convention at Chi- 
cago in May of that year. Like all other Illinoisans, I 
was enthusiastic in my supjmrt of Mr. Lincoln. I had 
been a decided abolitionist when a youth and young 
man, entered heartily into the Freesoil movement, and 
cast my vote for John C. Freemont for President. My 
first vote as a Whig was cast for Taylor in 1848. 

After the nomination of Mr. Lincoln there was held 
at Galena a ratification meeting, over which I was chosen 
to preside. The year before I had made the acquaintance 
of a young lawyer in New York city named Stewart L, 
Woodford, and, meeting him at the Chicago convention, 
invited him to come to Galena and address our meeting, 
which he agreed to do. Like all other New Yorkers, he 
came to the convention a strong supporter of Senator 
Seward. He had, however, great admiration for and 
confidence in Mr. Lincoln and came to his support after 
his nomination with zeal and earnestness. He followed 
the Hon. E. B. Washburne at the meeting, and delivered 
an exceedingly spirited, eloquent and convincing speech, 
which was well received by the audience. Woodford be- 
came one of the ablest members of the New York bar, 
served in the civil war with distinction, was appointed 
United States attorney for the Southern district of New 
York, and was United States Ambassador to Spain when 
the Spanish- American war began. Years after the Ga- 
lena meeting Woodford told me that he always looked 
back with pleasure to that ratification meeting at Galena, 
from which place his old army commander, Gen. Grant, 



68 

entered the volunteer service in the early days of the 
civil wai'. 

I attended in the month of Auojust, 1860, the great 
rally of the Republicans of the state at Springfield, the 
home of Mr. Lincoln. Near)}' ever}^ [>roniinent Repub- 
lican in the state was present, and it was estimated that 
100,000 ()eople participated in the great parade and were at 
the meetings held in the open air in various })arts of the 
city. In the afternoon of the day [previous to the parade. 
I called on Mr. Lincoln wiih the Hon. Mr. Henry, of 
New Hampshire, who had served with him in the house 
of representatives. I allude to this incident because, 
although I had seen Mr. Lincoln frequently, I never liad 
the chauce to study his face under favorable circum- 
stances. We had a very pleasant call, and when tea 
time came Mr. Lincoln insisted upon our taking tea 
with Mrs. Lincoln and himself. At the talde Mr. Lin- 
coln was very entertaining in his conversation, giving 
anecdotes, reminiscences, etc. I noticed when he was 
quiet and his face at rest, that there was a shade of sad- 
ness over it caused by a slight droop of the eyelids and 
the lowering of the corners of tlie mouth. When he 
began to speak, his face lighted up like the sun passing 
through a rift in the cloud. 

The latter part of the winter of 1860 61 I spent in 
Washington city, and was there during the sessions of 
the national [)eace congress and listened to some of the 
exciting debates in congress. 1 witnessed the ceremony 
of the inauguration of Mr. Lincoln. It was the first in- 
auguration of a President I had ever seen, and I was 
greatly impressed with it. When I left Washington, 
about the middle of March, the political sky was over- 
cast, and our wisest and best men in the Northern states 
were feeling anxious for the future of the nation. The 
causes wnich led to the war are familiar to all intelligent 
readers. It was the culmination of an irrepressible con- 
flict between liberty and slavery of nearly half a cen- 
turv's duration. 



CHAPTER V. 



CIVIL VJflK, 1861-62. 



The firing on Fort Sumpter by the Confederate 
States of America was regarded by the government of 
the United States as an act of rebellion. The act caused 
intense excitement throughout the northern states. Pres- 
ident Lincoln at once issued a call for 75,000 volunteers 
for ninety days' service. The patriotic citizens of Ga- 
lena shared in the general excitement and resolved to 
act promptly in response to the President's call fur vol- 
unteers. A njass meeting of the citizens of Galena was 
held at the court house on the evening of the IGth of 
April, 1861, four days after the firing on Fort Sumpter. 
to discuss the situation and the feasibility of raising at 
once one or more companies of volunteers to aid in the 
suppression of the rebellion. The court house was filled 
with citizens. The mayor of the city, Hon. Robert 
Brand, was chosen to preside. Upon taking the chair, 
in a brief speech, he gave expression to anti-war senti- 
ments and favored compromise and peace. Indescribable 
confusion followed, and a motion was made that he va- 
cate the chair. The chairman begged permission to be 
heard, and said in explanation that he had understood 
the meeting had been called to discuss the situation, and 
that he had given expression to his own views and opin- 
ions, but as they evidently were not those of the meeting 
he would vacate the chair. After some discussion, it was 
agreed that he continue to preside. The Hon. E. B. 
Washburne, member of congress, being present and one 



</ 



70 

of the leadiiiijj spii'its of this war movement, offered the 
following resohitions, which were uiuuiimously adopted: 

1. That we will support the government of tlie 
United States in the performance of all its constitutional 
duties in this crisis, and will assist it to maintain the in- 
tegrity of the American flag whenevei- and wherever 
assailed. 

2. That we recommend the immediate formation 
of two military com})anies in this city to respond to any 
call that may be made by the governor of the stale. 

3. That having lived under the stars and sti'ipes 
by the blessing of God, we propose to die under them. 

Spirited arjd patriotic addresses wei-e made l)y the 
mover of the resolutions, by John A. Rawlins, B. B. 
Howard, Hon. Charles S. Hempstead and others. The 
meeting adjourned with the wildest enthusiasm and 
cheers for the Union. The excitement following the 
gathering seemed to' increase, and on the evening of the 
18th of April another mass meeting was held in the same 
place to raise a military company. The crowd at tlie 
court house was greater than at the first meeting. C'ap- 
tain U. S. Grant, formerly of the United States army, 
who liad been a resident of Galena for eighteen months, 
was, at the suggestion of Hon. E. B. Washburne, elected 
chairman of the meeting, Upon taking the chair, he 
briefly, with some evident embarrassment, stated the ob- 
ject of the meeting. Earnest and eloquent appeals to 
the patriotism of the audience were made by E. B. 
Washburne and John A. Rawlins. I followed in a brief 
address, offering to enlist for the war. Wiien volunteers 
were called for I headed the list, and was followed by 
Wallace Campbell, J. Bates Dickson, Nicholas Roth, C. 
H. Miller and some twenty-five others. These enlist- 
ments proved to be the first in the Northwest outside of 
the city of Chicago. A telegram was sent to Governor 



71 

Yates offering a company of volunteers, whicii was at 
once accepted It was decided before the close of the 
meeting to push the recruiting vigorously. Captain 
Grant, Rawlins and Rowley agreed to go the next day to 
Hanover, fourteen miles south of Galena, and Campbell 
and Dickson volunteered to go to Dunleith (now East 
Dubuque). With Washburne and S. K. Miner, I took 
the cit}' and its suburbs, the men who had enlisted the 
evening before giving valuable assistance. The meeting 
of citizens at Hanover the evening of the 19th was ad- 
dressed by Captain Grant and. Rawlins. Some twelve 
men were obtained. Captain Grant told me afterwards 
that his Hanover speech was the first one he had ever 
made. Rawlins spoke of it as an earnest and sensible 
speech. Campbell and Dickson recruited about as many 
men at Dunleith. On the morning of the 20th it was 
found that over eighty men had been recruited, and all 
were on hand to answer to roll call. Notice was given 
that in the afternoon a meeting for the election of offi- 
cers would be held Ca|)tain Grant, liaving understood 
that there was a movement to elect him captain of the 
company, told me that he could not accept the captaincy 
of a company of volunteers; that he had been educated 
at West Point, had served in the Mexican war as a lieu- 
tenant and afterwards as a captain on the Pacific coast, 
and that, with his military education and experience, he 
ought to have the colonelcy of a regiment or a suitable 
staff appointment. He suggested that I take the cap- 
taincy of the company, and that he would go with the 
company to Springfiekl and assist it in getting into a 
regimental organization. The result was that I was 
elected cai)tain, and Cam})bell and Dickson first and 
second lieutenants, respectively. On the morning of the 
21st the com{)any was full. 

The day after the acceptance of the Galena company 



72 

Governor Yates telegraphed to know if tlie company- 
could be uniformed without delay. On inquiry, it was 
found that suitable cloth could be obtained of L. S. Felt 
& Co., and the clothing house of H, P. Corwith & Co» 
would agree to make, with the aid of all the tailors in 
the city, the uniforms in three days. The governor was 
telegraphed the facts, and the reply came bark: "Uni- 
form your company." Captain Grant gave nearly the 
whole of his time superintending the making of the 
uniforms. At his suggestion, the men of the company 
were at once put to drilling. Pine laths were used for 
guns and the men were drilled in marching, facings, 
etc. Captain Grant kindly took out a squad on two oc- 
casions and once drilled the entire company. The uni- 
forms were completed at the end of the time agreed 
upon, and the regulation caps were obtained in Chicago. 
On the afternoon of the 25th of April, the company 
left Galena for Springfield, the place of rendesvous of 
all the volunteers raised in the state under the 75,000 
call. The announcement of its departure brought to- 
gether an immense concourse of people from the sur- 
rounding country. The fire companies, civic societies^ 
mayor and city council, with two bands of music, es- 
corted the "Jo Daviess Guards" through the principal 
streets of the city. When the column had reached the 
corner of Main and Green streets it was halted. Captain 
J. A. Maltby of the Mexican war, and afterwards colonel 
of the "Lead Mine Regt.." (Forty-fifth Illinois infantry), 
and brigadier general, acted as chief marshal. Hon. E. 
A. Small, in behalf of the patriotic ladies of Galena, pre- 
sented to the company a beautiful silk flag. His presen- 
tation address was eloquent and appropriate. I, as cap- 
tain, accepted it in a brief speech in behalf of the com- 
pany. This silk flag had been made by the ladies of 
Galena, headed by Miss Annie Campbell (afterwards 



73 

Mrs. Gen. 0. E. Babcock), who bought the material and 
who, on application to Captain U. S. Grant, was furnished 
with a design giving the dimensions, etc. At this point 
Captain Grant fell in at the left and rear of the company 
and marched with it across the river to the station of the 
Illinois Central railroad, on his way with the company to 
the capital of the state. At and near the station on the 
hillsides, was gathered an immense throng of peoj)le to 
bid the compan}^ farewell. On the top of a freight car 
stood the mayor of the city and the Rev. (now Bishop) J. 
H. Vincent, of the M. E. church. The mayor made a 
patriotic address to the departing volunteers, and ended 
by presenting to G. A. Godat, the color bearer of the 
company, a beautiful revolver, after which the Rev. J. 
H. Vincent delivered an address of rare eloquence, filled 
with patriotic and Christian sentiments and words of 
cheer and encouragement and closed with a briel prayer. 
Soon after the train moved off, amid the huzzas, waving 
of hats and handkerchiefs and the tearful farewells of 
the great crowd. 

The company reached Decatur the next morning,, 
and, having three hours to wait for the Springfield train. 
Captain Grant took it out to an open field and gave it 
one hour of drill. On its arrival at Springfield it went 
into quarters at Camp Yates. The next day I turned 
over the command of the company to Lieutenant Camp- 
bell, and at the request of Captain Grant, roomed with 
him in a private apartment he had rented, and we 
took our meals at the Chinnery hotel near by. Captain 
Grant found employment in the adjutant general's office 
doing clerical work. Upon the organization of the 
Twelfth regiment, the last of the six under the 75,000' 
call to be organized, the "Jo Davies Guards" became one 
of the ten companies which composed it. When the 
election of field oflUcers by the company or line officers- 



74 

took place, Cap ain John McArthur of Chit-ago, was elect- 
ed colonel, I lieutenant colonel, and Cai)tain J. D. Will- 
iams of Rock Island, major. 

The regiment was mustered into the three months' 
service on the 2d of May by Captain John Pope of the 
regular army, an i the "Jo Daviess Guards" was given 
the right center of the regiment as Com{)any F, and 
designated as the color company. The company on its 
arrival at Camp Yates attracted attention, not only be- 
cause it was the only one of the sixty companies ac- 
cepted by the state which was uniformed, but also on 
account of its soldierly appearance and discipline. The 
personnel of the company was exceptionally good. The 
men averaged well in size and {physical robustness. A 
large part were of foreign birth (mostly German), many 
having seen some service before leaving their native 
land. Without a single exception all could read and 
write. In occupation there were merchants, mechanics, 
clerks, farmers and laboring men. The average age of 
the men was greater than was usually found in compan- 
ies raised in the West. After the organization of the 
Twelfth regiment, Lieutenant Camj)bell was elected cap- 
tain of Company F, Dickson Hrst lieutenant and Sergeant 
Roth second lieutenant. Captain Campbell was a born 
soldier, intelligent, energetic, brave, and a fine tactician 
and disciplinarian. At the end of his three months' 
service he was in every way qualified to command a regi- 
ment. He was commissioned colonel of a regiment in 
December, 1863. Dickson was capable, painstaking, 
coolly courageous and efficient. He was the adjutant of 
the regiment, adjutant of a brigade, and after having 
been appointed assistant adjutant general by the War De- 
partment, served on tlie staff of General Rosecrans with 
great credit to himself. Lieutenant Roth was an ener- 
getic and competent officer, whose duties, es[tecially as a 



75 

tactician, were always well performed. Captain Mayer, 
whose service was given mostly after I had left the regi- 
ment, has the reputation of having been a most brave, con- 
scientious and efficient officer, and I will add, that it can 
truthfully be said of all the other commissioned officers 
of the company, that they were not only well qualified 
for the duties of their respective {)ositions but discharged 
them with fidelity. 

Some three days after we had arrived at Springfield 
I called at the office of the adjutant general and asked 
for Caj>tain Grant. I was directed to a small, poorly- 
lighted and scantily furnished room, occupied by the 
captain only, who was engaged in copying in a blank 
book the orders which had been issued by the adjutant 
general since the organization of the volunteer regiments 
began. When I asked him how he was getting along he 
replied, with a look of disgust: "I am tired of this work. 
It is no work for me. I am going Ijack to the store [Ga- 
lena) to-morrow." I replied that I hoped he would not 
leave now, that something more suitable would surely 
be given him to do. We talked over the matter in our 
room in the evening, and he finally decided to remain a 
few days longer. His pay for the work he was doing 
was $2 a day. Two days later Captain (afterwards Gen- 
eral) Pope, who had commanded Camp Yates while act- 
ing as mustering officer, returned to St. Louis, when 
Captain Grant was detailed by Governor Yates to fill the 
vacancy as commandant of the camp. 

The legislature of the state, then in extra session, 
the month })revious had passed a law directing the gov- 
ern )r to raise ten regiments of infantry, one in each 
congressional district, to ba held in readiness for the 
president's next call for volunteers. Three days after 
the captain had assumed the command of Camp Yates 
he was ordered to proceed to Mattoon and organize 



76 

a regiment that was being raised there. A short time 
afterwards he was appointed a mustering officer, to mus- 
ter into the state service regiments raised under the new 
law. He went to Mattoon and to Anna and mustered in a 
regiment at each place. He proceeded to Belleville for 
the same purpose, but finding that the regiment there 
was not ready, crossed the river to St. Louis to see and 
consult with his old army friend, Captain Lyons, com- 
manding the United States troops at the Arsenal, in re- 
gard to getting some suitable staff appointment or the 
command of a volunteer regiment in the state of Mis- 
souri, his former place of residence. Upon arriving at 
the Arsenal on the morning of May 10th, he found all the 
regular troops and Colonel Frank Blair's regiment of vol- 
unteers about to move upon and capture Camp Jackson, 
a Confederate camp of instruction in the vicinity of the 
city of St. Louis. Captain Lyons invited him to act as 
and aide on his staff, which he did, and was a witness to 
the breaking up of the camp and the arrest of all its 
officers. 

Receiving no encouragement from either Captain 
Lyons or Colonel Blair in the matter of securing an 
appointment for staff duty, he returned to Springfield, 
stopping on his way at Casey ville, six miles « ast of St. 
Louis, where the Twelfth Illinois infantry was tempor- 
arily stationed. Colonel McArthur having been disabled 
by an accident, had gone to Chicago, leaving me in com- 
mand of the regiment. Captain Grant became my 
guest for two days. During this time he was depressed 
in spirits, and seemed to feel keenly his lack of success 
in obtaining a suitable appointment in the volunteer 
service, when civilians without military education or ex- 
perience could easily obtain them. When talking about 
the care, work and responsibility involved in the suc- 
cessful management of a regiment of volunteers, he 



77 

-said: "I don't think I am conceited, but I feel confident 
I could command a regiment well; at least, I would like 
to try it." When alluding; to his old army friend. 
Captain George B. McClellan, who had just been placed 
in charge of the organization of the volunteers in the 
state of Ohio, he said: "Of the many otfijers of the reg- 
ular army who are receiving appointme its in the volun- 
teer service, I look upon (Captain McClellan as one of the 
brightest, and I think he is sure to make his mark in 
this war." During his stay with me he took a deep in- 
terest in the Twelfth regiment and made many valuable 
suggestions to the adjutant, quartermaster and commis- 
sary of subsi^-tance. He conversed freely with me about 
new recruits and the best method of managing them to 
insure speedy efficiency. I have always felt that if I suc- 
ceeded in bringing my regiment to a high standard of 
drill, discipline and efficiency during the two and a half 
3'ears I commanded it, it was due largely to the sensible 
hints and valuable suggestions of Captain Grant during 
this visit and when we roomed together at Springfield a 
few weeks before. 

After leaving Caseyville Captain Grant returned to 
Springfield, and on being informed that there was no 
further work for him to do as a mustering officer, he 
went back to Galena. He was restless, and felt humili- 
ated that he should be compelled to remain inactive, 
when there was so great need in the country of the serv- 
ices of educated and experienced military men. Unable 
longer to endure this inaction, he went to Ohio^to ascer- 
tain what could be done in his native state. He stopped 
at Columbus to see Gen. ]V[cClellan, who had just been 
made a general of volunteers, hoping he might from him 
get a staff appointment, but McClellan had gone to 
Washington. After visiting his mother at Covington, 
Ky., he returned to Galena, and as a last resort wrote the 



adjutant general of the United States army at Washing- 
ton, offering his services and soliciting an appointment 
as colonel of a volunteer regiment. No reply was made 
to his letter. 

About the 10th of June he received a telegram from 
Governor Yates asking if he would accept the colonelcy 
of the Twenty -first Illinois infantry, known as the Mat- 
toon regiment, which he had organized and mustered 
into the state service the month before. He, of course, 
accepted the })Osition offered. It seems that this piece of 
good luck came to the captain in this wise. The Mat- 
toon regiment had been unfortunate in its choice of a 
colonel for the thirty days' service, who became unpopu- 
lar with both officers and enlisted men before the expira- 
tion of that time, and a change was desired by all. The 
officers, who had made the acquaintance of Captain 
Grant as mustering officer, believed him to be a good 
man for the position and petitioned Governor Yates to 
appoint him colonel of the regiment. The governor 
hesitated, for he clearly was not partial to Captain Grant, 
but the Hon. Jesse K. Dubois, the state auditor, who hap- 
pened to be in the governor's room when the petition 
was received, spoke in such high terms of the "Galena 
Captain," as the governor called him, and of his fitness 
for the position, that it turned the scales and the appoint- 
ment was made. 

Colonel Grant took command of the regiment at 
Camp Yates, Springfield, where it had been brought from 
Mattoon. It had been neglected by its late colonel and 
its drill and discipline were below par. It devolved on 
its new commander to raise its esprit de corps and make 
it what it became in the next two months, one of the 
most efficient regiments in the Western Army. Many 
stories are told how the colonel, in his quiet but firm 
way, subdued some of its most unruly men. He took 



79 

his regiment to Missouri, where it was kept busy fight- 
ing the "bushwhackers" of that region. On the 10th of 
August he was appointed brigadier general, his commis- 
sion to date from May 17th. which made him the senior 
officer of that rank in the state of Illinois, save one, viz: 
Gen. B. M. Prentiss, who was not a West Pointer and 
was outranked by Grant in accordance with an act of 
congress giving West Pointers precedence. Six other 
brigadier generals were appointed at the same time, all 
recommended by members of congress from that state^ 
acting jointly. 

Before the middle of June the Twelfth regiment 
was taken to Cairo, where the five other Illinois regi- 
ments were stationed, as a brigade commanded by Gen. 
Prentiss. The last week in July the men who had en- 
listed for three months were asked to enlist for three 
years. The Twelfth regiment re-enlisted almost in a 
body, and Colonel McArthur was elected colonel, I lieu- 
tenant colonel, and Captain A. C. Ducat major, over 
Major W. D. Williams. The choice of Colonel John Mc- 
Arthur as colonel for the three years' service was a wise 
one. for he proved to be a very capable officer. Fond of 
the profession of arms, he was well informed in all mat- 
ters pertaining to his duties, was vigilant, brave, a good 
disciplinarian and tactician, and whether in command 
of a brigade or of a division in after years his efficiency 
made him a favorite with his superior officers. He be- 
came a brigadier general and was rewarded at the close 
of the war with a brevet major general's commission for 
meritorious services. Major A. C. Ducat was an excep- 
tionally good officer. Having studied civil engineering 
before the war, he was better equipped for the duties of a 
volunteer officer than the average civilian. He was 
soon detailed for staff duty, for which position he was 
well fitted. He served on Gen. Ord's staff as inspector 



80 

in 1862, and later was detailed by Gen. Rosecrans as his 
■chief of staff and was with him in the battles of Corinth 
and Chickamau^a. He became lieutenant colonel of 
his regiment, and at the close of the war was made a 
brigadier general by brevet. 

The Twelfth regiment was stationed at Cairo until 
near the close of August, when it was taken to Bird's 
Point, on the opposite or Missouri side of the river. 
■Colonel McArthur, being one of the oldest colonels, was 
assigned to a brigade. For nearly' two and a half years 
thereafter I continued in command of the Twelftii Illi- 
nois, and until I received my promotion as brigadier 
general. 

The summer of 1861 was unusually hot, and the 
troops stationed at Cairo on the low grounds back of the 
embankments on the Mississippi and Ohio rivers were 
far from comfortable. The medical service was good 
and the hos})itals were admirably conducted, so that our 
men got along better than could have been expected 
under conditions so unfavorable. Much credit was due 
to chief Surgeon Simms, who was ably assisted by Dr. 
Horace Wardner of the Twelfth regiment, who after- 
wards became a brigade, division and general hospital 
surgeon. His energy, skill and exceptional administrat- 
ive ability were generally recognized. His antiwar ex- 
perience was in his favor, he having been demonstrator 
of anatomy in the Rush Medical college, of Chicago. 
Dr. W. F. Cady, who was Dr. Wardner's assistant in the 
Twelfth regiment, soon became the surgeon, and during 
his four years' service in this regiment he made an ex- 
cellent record for skill and devotion to his duties. By 
-early fall all the troops in and about Cairo were in fine 
physical condition and well drilled and disciplined. 

Gen. Grant established his headquarters as com- 
mander of the District of Cairo, at Cairo about the 1st of 



81 

September. He learned from his scouts that the Confed- 
erates had invaded the "sacred soil" of Kentucky, had 
occupied Columbus, a point of importance on the Mis- 
sissippi river, and were fortify ing it. The state of Ken- 
tucky had not seceded and had kept her representative 
in congress. He learned further that Paducah was to be 
occupied soon and fortified. This latter place, being at 
the mouth of the Tennessee river, was of great strategic 
importance. As soon as Gen. Grant had been informed 
of the movement on Paducah he telegraphed to Gen. 
Freeraont at St. Louis, suggesting to him that Paducah 
be at once occupied and fortified. No reply to his tele- 
gram was received, but so impressed was he with the 
importance of occupying Paducah at once, that he as- 
sumed the responsibility of moving on the place imme- 
diately. On the 6th of September he secured two large 
transports, placed on them the Ninth and Twelfth regi- 
ments of infantry (I commanded the latter), a battery of 
light artillery and a small force of cavalry, which body 
of troops were placed in command of Colonel McArthur, 
In the evening the expedition, led by two gunboats, 
started up the Ohio river. At daylight the next morn- 
ing Paducah was reached, the troops were landed, and 
the construction of light earth works was commenced. It 
was afterwards learned that a force of Confederates from 
Columbus was on its way and would have been in Padu- 
cah by noon that day. Gen. Grant was at first criticised 
for thus acting without orders, but the wisdom of his 
movement was so apparent that the matter was dropped 
by Gen. Fremont, and he received commendation at 
Washington for his prompt action. 

A few days after the occupation of Paducah by 
Union troops. Brigadier General Charles F. Smith, an 
old officer of the regular army, reported to Gen. Grant, 



82 

and was placed in command of the post of Paducah and 
the territory up the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers, 
and to be second in command in the district of Cairo. 
The force at Paducah was at once increased and the 
construction of permanent fortifications to command the 
/ mouth of the Tennessee river begun. The assignment 
of Gen. Smith for duty under Gen. Grant caused much 
feeling among the regular army officers, and was shared 
by Gen. Halleck, who had succeeded Gen. Fremont at 
St. Louis. Gen. Smith had been in continuous service 
for over thirty years and had held the rank of colonel 
for many years, while Gen. Grant had left the army seven 
years before with the rank of captain, which rank he 
had held but a short time in the department of Califor- 
nia, and who had risen to his present rank in the volun- 
teer service in less than a year through supposed polit- 
ical influence. To the regular officer this seemed incon- 
gruous and unfair. With Halleck, it was not that he 
objected to Gen. Grant per se, but he felt deeply the in- 
justice done his old friend Smith, whom he regarded as 
one of the ablest officers in the Federal army, and for .a 
long time afterwards he did all in his power to place 
Smith over Grant. 

Some two weeks after Gen. Smith had assumed com- 
mand at Paducah, he detailed me to take command of 
the post of Smithland, twelve miles above Paducah, at 
the junction of the Cumberland and Ohio rivers, with 
six companies of infantry, a battery of light artillery 
and a squadron of cavalry, to construct, under competent 
engineers, fortifications at the mouth of the Cumber- 
land. Gen. Smith visited the post every week to inspect 
the work of the engineers, and I became not only well 
acquainted with him, but much attached to him, and 
grew to have great admiration for his splendid soldierly 
qualities. Although a strict disciplinarian, he was a 



83 

favorite with all the soldiers of ius commaii'l. He was 
six feet tall, spare, straight, with a heavy white mus- 
tache and close cut gray hair. His personality was that 
of the ideal soldier, and his appearance on parade or 
elsewhere always elicited the applause of the soldiers 
On one of his first visits to Smithland he said to me, "I 
think you are acquainted with Gen. Grant?" I replied, 
"Yes, we are from the same town, and I was with him a 
good deal just after the breaking out of the war." He 
then remarked: "I remember the general well as a 
cadet at West Point when I was its commandant. He 
w^as a fair-faced young man, modest, a fine horseman 
and very proficient in mathematics." Gen. Smith had 
not yet met Gen. Grant, owing to the latter's absence 
from his district. A day or two after my conversation 
with Gen. Smith, Gen. Grant, when passing down the 
Ohio river in his little steamer, stopped at the post and 
came to my quarters and spent the evening. In convers- 
ing about Gen. Smith, who, I said, had just visited me, 
Gen. Grant said: "I am going to Paducah to-night and 
will have to give Gen. Smith orders to-morrow morning, 
which don't seem just right to me, for this veteran officer 
was the commandant of West Point when I was a cadet 
and all the school regarded him as one of the very 
ablest officers of his age in the army." Gen. Grant had 
great admiration for his old commandant, and Gen. 
Smith seemed always to be proud of his former cadet, 
and gratified with his success. He certainly was not 
jealous of him. 

Not long after the battle of Belmont, opposite Colum- 
bus, which the Confederates were fortifying, I had a visit 
from Gen. Smith. I remarked that there was a rumor 
afloat that Paducah was threatened by a force under 
Gen. Albert Sidney Johnson. The general smiled and 
replied that Johnson and he were old army friends and 



knew each other well. "Johnson knows what forces I 
have and I know what he has I don't think he will at- 
tack me," and he didn't. He then gave me a brief ac- 
aceount of his relations with Johnson in the Mexican 
war and afterwards. They were nearly of the same age. 
P>om other sources I learn that both were regarded by 
army officers as two of the ablest otticers in the army. 
Johnson was the senior in age and in time of service. 
When lieutenants they became intimate friends and con- 
tinued such for nearly a quarter of a century. Smith 
S' rved continuously, while Johnson left the service for a 
time after the Mexican war. When the governnient de- 
cided in 1857 to send troops to Utah to suppress the 
Mormon rebellion, so called, Johnson (being the senior 
colonel) commanded a regiment of cavalry, as well as 
the expedition, and Smitli a regiment of infantry. The 
ex{)edition started somewhat late in the season, and, 
marching overland from the Missouri river, did not 
reach Utah until early winter, having suffered great 
hardships^while crossing the Wasatch mountains during 
the latter [)art of the long march. The Mormons sur- 
rendered before the expedition had fairly reached Utah. 
The next spring Smith returned to duty in New York, 
and Johnson, after leaving a garrison at Camp Douglas, 
near Salt Lake City, took the remainder of his command 
to California, where he was assigned to command the 
Department of California, with headquarters at San 
Francisco. 

When the civil war began Smith was in New York 
and Johnson in California. In the winter of 1800-61 
many Southern sympathizers, usually old and wealthy 
men, went to California to avoid the discomforts of war, 
which they regarded as inevitable. Johnson, being a 
Southerner by birth and having lived on his extensive 
ranch in Texas after the Mexican war, became more or 



/ 



i/" 



S5 

less intimate with these refus^ees. Reports reached the 
government officials at VVa^hin^ton that JohnsDti was 
not as loyal to the Union as he should be. Without giv- 
ing Johnson any intimation, Gen. Sumner was sent to 
California to relieve him. Johnson felt deeply hurt by 
this act, which indicated a lack of confidenc • in his loy- 
alty to the Union. He became dejected, angry and re- 
sentful, resigned his commission and went to his ranch 
in Texas. Before the midsummer President Davis, of 
the Confederate states, offered him the command of the 
Western Army of the Confederacy, which he accepted. 
Gen. Simpson (now retired) the quartermaster general of 
the Department of California, who was on intimate 
terms with Johnson at the time, assured me a few 3^ears 
ago that Johnson was thoroughly loyal to the Union, 
and that the hasty and unwise conduct of the War De- 
partment drove him into the Confederacy. 

In the spring of 1862 Gen. Albert Sidney Johnson 
was in command of the Confederate forces in Tennessee 
and Kentucky, and having been charged by the govern- 
ment at Richmond with inefficiency, became almost des- 
perate, and, contrary to the advice of his brother officers 
at Corinth, attacked the Union forces at Pittsburg Land- 
ing (Shiloh), resolving to gain a victory or die in the at- 
tempt. Had his life-long friend and comrade, Gen. 
Smith, not been ill and in a hospital, he would have 
been on the battlefield of Shiloh as second in command 
of the Union forces, and, in all probability, would have 
met Johnson face to face on the field of battle, ft has 
been intimated that Johnson knew of Smith's illness 
hence his desire to attack the Union forces during his 
absence. He feared Smith more than he did Grant. 

In January, 1862, I was relieved of the command of 
the Post of Smithland by Gen. Lew Wallace, who had 
recently been made a brigadier general, and returned ta 



my regiment at Paducah soon after the battle of Bel- 
mont. Gen. Grant felt that an expedition should move 
at once up the Tennessee river to drive out the Confed- 
erate forces fortifying at Fort Henry on the Tennessee 
river and Fort Donelsonon the Cumberland river. These 
forces could easily have been routed by 10,000 men. 
Gen. Grant went to Halleck at St. Louis, who was in 
command of the Department of the Mississippi, and un- 
folded his plan to him. Grant received no encourage- 
ment from Halleck. In January, 1862, it became evi- 
dent to Halleck and to the authorities at Washington 
that an expedition such as had been suggested by Grant 
in November, should be sent up the Tennessee river and 
capture Fort Henry and up the Cumberland river 
against Fort Donelson. 

Soon after the 1st of February the expedition started, 
with Gen. Grant in command and Gen. C. F. Smith, 
commanding a division as second in command. My 
regiment was in Smith's division. Fort Henry was 
easily captured and Grant moved his forces overland 
thirteen miles to Fort Donelson, invested it, and the gun- 
boats on the Cumberland river co-operating, in two days 
the Confederate stronghold capitulated. The victory 
was a splendid one, and the first decisive Union victory 
in the West of any importance. In the first day's fight 
my regiment held the extreme right of our line, and al- 
though it was its "maiden" fight, behaved admirably. 
Immediately after the surrender. Gen. Halleck tele- 
graphed to the War Department: "Make Gen. Smitli a 
major general. He, by his coolness and bravery wlien 
the battle, was against us, turned the tide and carried the 
enemy's works." Had Halleck been successful in his 
scheme, Smith would have been the ranking officer. 
Both were made major generals, with Grant as the senior. 
Smith, I know, was ignorant of all efforts to make him 
the ranking major general. 



CHAPTER VI. 



CIVIL WflK— FORT DONELSON TO VICKSBURG, 1862-3. 

Soon after the surrender of Fort Donelson, Grant 
was put in arrest by Halleck for alleged neglect of duly. 
In a few weeks he was released arid returned to duty and 
assumed his former command, making his headquarters 
at Savannah, eight miles below Pittsburg Landing, on 
the east side of the Tennessee river. Gen. Smith had 
command of tlie Union forces being massed at Pittsburg 
Landing preparatory to a movement on Corinth, Miss., 
at the junction of the Mobile & Ohio and the Memphis 
& Charleston railroads, a place of great importance, 
which the Confederates had been fortifying for many 
months. 

Had Gen. Grant's suggestion to Halleck in Novem- 
ber, '61, been heeded, the movement would undoubtedly 
have obviated the expedition of February, '62, thereby 
saving millions in money and thousands of lives, and 
more, would have rendered unnecessary the massing of 
troops at Pittsburg Laudingand the subsequent terrific bat 
tie of Shiloh. Corinth would havebeen the point of attack. 
The Union troops, when ascending the Tennessee river 
in transports, were organized into brigades and divisions 
by Gen. Grant, and then sent to Gen. Smith at Pittsburg 
Landing. My regiment was in Gen. W. H. L. Wallace's 
division (formerly Gen. C, F. Smith's), which held the 
right of our line. During the three weeks we were in 
camp our men suffered from diarrhoea and dysenterv, 
caused by having to use surface water taken from shal- 
low wells. I was taken down with dysentery. My con- 



dition became serious and on the 5th of April it was de- 
cided by my regimental surgeons that I be taken to a 
hospital at Paducah. On the morning of the 6th at 
sunrise we were attacked by the enemy, numbering^ 
40,000 men, a force a little larger than our own. My regi- 
ment, in command of the senior Captain J. R. Hugunin, 
moved out of our camp at 8 o'clock. Major Ducat, of 
the regiment, was sick in a hospital at Paducah. An 
hour after the regiment had moved to the front at the 
extreme left of the line, I became uneasy and deter- 
mined to join it and take command. It was an unwise 
act. T have had reason since to regret my rashness. 
T rode my horse with great difficulty, and not long after 
I had reached the regiment in line of battle my horse 
was shot and killed by a sharpshooter. The fall from 
my horse injured me somewhat. On regaining my feet, 
I found that there was not another horse to be had, as all 
had either been killed or taken off the field. I was 
tnerefore compelled to command the regiment, weak as I 
was, on foot for four hours, much of the time under the 
enemy's fire. At about 1 o'clock we were overpowered 
and driven back in confusion. [ had lost heavily in 
killed and wounded, especially in officers. After the long 
engagement I collapsed from sheer weakness, and when 
taking my regiment back to the rear and near the land- 
ing, there being no ambulance obtainable, I was held up 
on my feet by two of my officers. On arriving there I 
saw Gen. Grant and his staff. He had just come in from 
making an inspection of our line. It was then past 3 
o'clock. I approached him, when he expressed surprise 
at seeing me out, as he had the day before sent his staff 
officer. Col. Rowley, to see me with a message that I had 
better go to a hospital at Paducah the next day if not 
decidedly better. After some general conversation in 
regard to the events of the day. he said: "Colonel, you 



89 

had better take your regiment to its old camp and go ta 
bed. You ought not to have come out to-day." Then 
he remarked cahnly, "The enemy has done all he can do 
to-day. To-morrow morning, with Gen. Lew Wallace's 
division and the fresh troops of the army of the Ohio, 
now crossing the river, we will soon finish him up." He 
was confident, and seemed by intuition to know the ex- 
hausted condition of the enemy. I was assisted to my 
old camp, when, to my surprise, I found that all the 
tents had been struck and taken away. By the aid of 
two strong men I dragged myself to the landing and 
went on board the hospital steamer "latan," where I was 
cared for. The next day by noon the enemy 1 ad been 
driven from the field. Gen. Grant proposed to pursue 
the enemy vigorously with the 25,000 or more fresh 
troops he had, inckiding some 1,200 cavalry, which had 
done little service the first day, but a telegram from Hal- 
leck forbade a pursuit. Had Grant been allowed to do 
as he intended, there is no doubt that the Confederates 
would have been utterly routed, a great part of their ar- 
tillery captured and Corinth abandoned, which would 
have obviated the necessity of massing over 100,000 men 
to lay siege to it, as was done by Halleck, who came to 
Pittsburg Landing soon after the battle and assumed com- 
mand of the army, giving Grant the second place. This 
hotly contested and sanguinary battle was a victory for 
the Union army, and had Gen. Lew Wallace strictly 
obeyed orders on the morning of the 6th and taken his 
place at the right of our line vvith his division of 6,000 
men and two batteries, the battle would, without doubt, 
have been a decided Union victory by or before 2 o'clock 
that day. This I know was the feeling at Gen. Grant's 
headquarters. Gen. Wallace's defection the morning of 
the 6th in not appearing on the field until a late hour in 
the afternoon came near losing us the day. Grant felt 



90 

bitter towards Wallace, but in after years the latter made 
some explanations which induced Grant to change his 
opinion, and in his memoirs, he so states. Gen. Grant, 
after the war, stated in my presence that he regarded the 
battle of Shiloh the bloodiest and hardest fought battle 
of the war. I have always been of the opinion that had 
Gen. Buell not reached Pittsburg landing the afternoon 
of the()th with a portion of his army, Gen. Grant, never- 
theless, with the aid of Lew Wallace's division of fresh 
troops and the return to the ranks of the greater part of 
the men who had fled panic stricken to the rear in the 
€arly morning, would have won a victory by the middle of 
the second day. Had Gen. Smith been on the ground prior 
to the battle and able to participate in it, I have no doubt 
the [)artial surprise of the early morning of the 6th 
would have been averted and a decisive victory gained 
by 4 o'clock. This gallant old oflficer had been sick in 
■a hospital at Savanna for over a week before the battle 
and died some ten days after it. His death was a severe 
and almost irreparable loss to the army of the Tennessee. 
I mourned for him sincerely for I was greatly attached 
to him. 

Gen. Halleck came to Pittsburg Landing and assumed 
command of our forces and began to n;ove towards Cor- 
inth, a little over twenty miles distant, where the Con- 
federate army was supposed to be strongly entrenched. 
Gen. Grant, as second in command, directed the right 
wing of the besieging army. Gen. George H. Thomas the 
center and Gen. Pope the left. Our advance was unac- 
countably slow, for by the 20th of May we were still over 
two miles from the enemy' entrenchments. About this 
time Grant modestly suggested to Halleck that were a 
feint in force made by the center and left he believed 
the right could easily charge over the enemy's works, for 
he thought he had information that would justify such a 



91 

movement. Halleck received the suggestion coldly and 
treated it as being entirely impracticable. It soon be- 
came evident, however, that had the suggestion been 
acted upon success would have been the result, Corinth 
captured, and a substantial victory won. A week later 
our troops entered without resistance, for the "bird had 
flown" and the victory was a barren one. Halleck, in 
theory, was great, but in practice he was a failure. He 
never again commanded an army in the field. Our 
troops took possession of Corinth June 1st, and Memphis 
was captured after a naval engagement six days later. 

During our advance on Corinth Halleck treated 
Grant discourteously, and at times ignored him entirely 
by sending his orders directly to the division command- 
ers of his reserve, a proceeding unusual and un military. 
Gen. Grant, during all these operations was useless as 
the "fifth wheel to a coach." He felt the indignity keen- 
ly, but bore it uncomplainingly, except twice, when out 
of sheer desperation he asked to be relieved of his com- 
mand, but no notice apparently was taken of his re- 
quests. 

Not long after the occupancy of Memphis by the 
Union troops Gen. Grant suggested to G,en. Halleck the 
feasibility of taking one-half of his army and moving 
directly to Vicksburg, the "Gibraltar" of the lower Mis- 
sissippi river, which the Confederates held and had begun 
to fortify; sieze it, fortify it and hold it permanently. 
The distance from Corinth was not great and the march 
could easily have been made in two to three weeks 
Halleck gave little heed to the suggestion and evidently 
regarded it as of little importance. Four months later 
the government found that it was necessary to take 
Vicksburg in order to open the Mississippi river from 
Memphis to New Orleans. An expedition with Gen. 
Grant as commander, was organized and moved south 



92 

down the Mississippi Central railroad. After reaching 
Oxford, contending on its march with large and well or- 
ganized bodies of Confederates, the burning of its supply 
depot at Holly Springs compelled it to return to its 
starting point, then descend the Mississippi river by 
transports from Memphis to Young's Point and Milli- 
gan's Bend. Vicksburg was invested late in the winter 
and it was July before the Confederate stronghold sur- 
rendered. Had Grant's plan of June, suggested to Hal- 
leck, been carried out, there would have been saved to 
the nation some 25,000 lives and $25,000,000, and the 
war in the valley of the Mississippi would have virtually 
ended in 18()4 instead of 1865. 

About the middle of June Grant's request to be re- 
lieved and assigned to some other military department 
finally reached the War Department at Washington and 
permission was granted him to report for duty to the 
Secretary of War at Washington. The afternoon before 
he was to have started for the East with his staff Gen. 
Sherman hap{)ened to call on him for a friendlv chat. 
On Grant's informing him of his good fortune in iiaving 
been relieved, the former protested so vigorously in lan- 
guage more forcible than elegant on the imprudence of 
the move that t e was abouc to make, that Grant changed 
his mind and decided to stay with the army of the Ten- 
nessee. Had not Sherman happened to visit Grant at 
his headquarters near Corinth on the afternoon in ques- 
tion, Grant would have gone to Washington after re- 
porting at St. Louis, and probably been assigned to the 
command of some army corps, but there would have 
been no Grant at Vicksburg or at Chattanooga, no Grant 
at Appomattox, and probably no President Grant. 

The latter part of June, Flalleck having divided his 
army, sending the greater part to Central and Eastern 
Tennessee, leaving some 50,000 troops with Grant to gar- 



93 

rison Memphis, Corinth, Jackson and Grand Junction 
and to garrison some 150 miles of railroad extending 
from Memphis to Tuscumbia, including several outposts. 
Grant moved his headquarters to IV[emphis, where Sher- 
man was in command. Two months later he moved to 
Jackson, some forty miles north of Corinth. My regi- 
ment was stationed all summer near Corinth and formed 
part of McArthur's brigade. 

From the time the expedition moved up the Ten- 
nessee river in February to the time Gen. Grant made 
Memphis his headquarters I saw a good deal of him, of 
Rawlins, his adjutant, and of Rowley, his aide. At 
headquarters I always had a cordial welcome, and as the 
two officers last named were townsmen and old friends, I 
was always regarded as "one of the family." Rawlins I 
knew as a bo}' at home with his father on the farm, 
five miles east of Galena. He was my junior by four 
years. I knew him too as a law student and later as a 
practitioner at the Galena bar. He was a lawyer of abil- 
ity and a quiet, industrious and painstaking young man 
of excellent habits. Rowley came to Galena when a 
young man, and was made clerk of the county court and 
afterwards clerk of the circuit court succeeding the 
Hon. W. H. Bradley. He was an efficient official and a 
shrewd and successful politician of great popularity. 

The personnel of the officers at headquarters was 
unique. Gen. Grant, the commander, was a large- 
brained man of almost unerring judgment, unassuming 
in manner, coolly courageous, decided in his convictions 
and firm, forceful and persistent in executing his plans 
and purposes. The remark afterwards made by him, "I 
will fight it out on this line if it takes all summer," 
illustrated one phasd of his character, viz: tenacity of 
purpose. Rawlins, his adjutant, and later his chief of 
staff, was clear-headed, energetic, fearless and conscien- 



94 

tious in the discharge of duty, and endowed with un- 
usual administrative ability. Rowley, his military sec- 
retary, and afterwards his aide, had a vast amount of 
practical common sense, energy, vigilence and tact, and 
was utterly devoted to the interests of his commander. 
To the headquarters was also attached Gen. J. D. Web- 
ster, formerly of the regular army, his chief of artillery, 
of unsurpassed ability as an artillerist and topograph- 
ical engineer. Such a combination of varied talent, all 
acting in concert, as was found at these headquarters in 
1862 was unusual, and it is not surprising that an army 
directed by such a head should have achieved success. 
Colonel Ely Parker (an Indian and chief of the Six Na- 
tions), whom I knew well at Galena, became a member 
of Grant's staff in the autumn of 1862. He had a w^ell 
trained mind, much natural ability, was educated as a 
civil engineer and had experience as such, all of which 
fitted him for the position of military secretary and after- 
wards as an aide. Captain Badeau (afterwards general 
by brevet,) was Grant's military secretary for two years. 
I knew him well at Galena when he was a clerk in a 
mercantile house. He returned to the state of New 
York, completed his education and entered the volunteer 
service in that state. Gen. 0. E. Babcock, with whom 
I became well acquainted soon after the war, was de- 
tailed by Gen. Grant as his chief aide in 1863. Having 
received a West Point education, and belonging to the 
engineer corps, he possessed rare qualifications for the 
position he held so long. He had no superior as a staff 
officer in the army and was held in high esteem by his 
superior officers, especially by Gen. Grant. 

The battle of luka was fought in September, 1862, 
but my regiment, forming a part of the reserve, did not 
actively participate in it. On the 3d and 4th of October 
occurred the bloody and decisive battle of Corinth. 



Grant had his headquarters at Jackson, forty miles north 
of Corinth. Gen. Rosecrans was in command of the 
four divisions of Union troops, two from the army af 
the Cumberland and two from the army of the Tennes- 
see. The place, fortified the winter before by the Con- 
federates under Albert Sidney Johnson and evacuated by 
Beauregard four months before, was attacked by a su- 
perior force under Generals Van Dorn and Price, who 
confidently expected to capture it. The inner fortifica- 
tions had been enlarged and strengthened during the 
previous summer. My regiment had a sharp engage- 
ment on the afternoon of the 3d and lost heavily. Gen. 
Oglesby, who commanded the brigade at the critical 
moment when the firing was the heaviest, in the absence 
of his aides rode to the front to give me an order, my 
regiment being at the right of the brigade. While doing 
so he was shot below the point of the shoulder, the ball 
passing under the shoulder blade, lodged near the 
spine. He carries the ball in his body to-day. Gen. 
Oglesby, in delivering that order in person, did as splen- 
did an act of personal courage as I ever saw. Gen. 
Hackelman, of Indiana, commanding the next brigade 
in line, was shot a few moments later, and the same am- 
bulance took from the field the two officers, both believed 
to be mortally wounded, and what is singular, both 
were warm personal friends of President Lincoln. 
Gen. Hackelman died the next night. The next day 
the enemy charged our inner works in full force and 
with an impetuosity seldom seen, but was repulsed and 
compelled to retire badly demoralized, having lost in 
killed and wounded over one-fourth of its men. Gen. 
Rosecrans had specific orders from Gen. Grant that in 
case the enemy were defeated to pursue him promptly 
and vigorously. This he failed to do, although he had 
a division of infantry and several regiments of cavalry,, 



96 

which had been slightly engaged during the battle either 
day. and waited until the next morning before he began 
the pursuit in earnest, thereby giving the enemy ample 
time to escape with his artillery. Gen. Grant never fully 
forgave Rosecrans for this virtual disobedience of orders. 

Some two weeks after the battle of ('orinth I was 
placed by Gen. Rosecrans in command of the Post of 
Corinth, a compliment I fully appreciated. Gen. Ham- 
ilton was assigned to the command of the troops in and 
about Corinth. Two weeks later he was relieved by 
Gen. G. M. Dodge, with whom I became well acquainted, 
and a mutual friendship followed which has continued 
to the present. Gen. Dodge was educated at the 
Partridge Military Academy at Norwich, Vt. Later he 
studied civil engineering and became proficient in that 
vocation. He entered the volunteer service early in the 
war as colonel of the Fourth Iowa infantry, and soon 
proved to be a most efficient officer, and commanded 
the Sixteenth Army corps in Sherman's march to the sea. 
He possessed rare practical intelligence, intense and un- 
tiring energy, was courageous to a fault, resourceful and 
efficient, and as a soldier in the civil war, a railroad 
engineer and manager, and a member of congress 
achieved more than a national reputation. As com- 
mander of the district of Corinth for over .six months, 
with 25,000 troops under him, holding a section of coun- 
try of great stragetic importance, he proved himself a 
most valuable officer to the service in the West. Gen. 
Grant had unbounded confidence in him as a sagacious 
and reliable commander. 

About the close of the year 1862 the officers sta- 
tioned at and near Corinth felt that something should be 
done to arouse the people of the western states to the 
importance of filling up the depleted ranks of the West- 
ern Army. A large meeting of officers vvas held, over 



97 

which I had the honor to preside. Able and spirited ad- 
dresses were made by Gen. E. W. Rice, colonel of 
the Second Iowa infantry; Gen, M. M. Bane, colonel of 
the Fifty-first Illinois infantry, Col. J. S. Wilcox, of the 
Fiftieth Illinois infantry, and a notable one by Gen. J. 
J. Phillips, then lieutenant colonel of the Ninth Illinois 
infantry, and now the chief justice of the Supreme Court 
of Illinois. A stirring appeal to the loyal people of the 
West, in the form of resolutions, was adopted. The 
meeting was fully reported and commented upon by the 
press of the West, especially by that of Chicago. The 
effect was that other meetings of a similar character 
were held at various points "along the line." I have 
always believed that the expressions on the part of the 
soldiers at the front did much good, and that the large 
number of recruits sent to the front in the early spring 
of 1863 was in part, at least, the result of the action 
then taken. 

A pleasant incident to me occurred when I was in 
•command of the Post of Corinth. Late one afternoon a 
gentleman called at headquarters on business. He gave 
his name as Knease, of Cincinnati, Ohio. Having fin- 
ished our business, I remarked that his name was an un- 
usual one, and that I had never seen nor heard it but 
once before; that when I was a young man, not yet of 
age, a friend of mine. Major Bender, a young civil en- 
giner in the service of the government at Galena, fre- 
quently sang "Ben Bolt," a song much in favor then, 
marvelously well. He had a fine voice, which he accom- 
panied with the guitar; that the author of the music 
of the song bore his name. He seemed a little sur- 
prised and remarked that he was the author of the 
music of "Ben Bolt." He said that he had come across 
the poem "Ben Bolt," written by Dr. William Dunn 
English, of New Jersey, (afterwards a member of con- 



/ 



98 



gress), was struck with its beauty and set it to music. He 
was at the time connected with Christie's celebrated 
minstrel troupe; that he sang it on the stage for years, 
and that it was usualy enthusiastically received by an 
appreciative public. After some further conversation, 
I asked bim to sing it for me, adding that I had a piano 
in the next room. He cheerfully complied, with the re- 
mark ''that he did not sing as well as when he was 
younger." Mr. Knease sang this beautiful ballad, so 
well known and admired since it was brought out by 
Mr. De Maurier in his "Trilby," better than I had ever 
heard it before. He was good enough to sing for me sev- 
eral other songs of his own composing. Knease died 
many years ago. Like many other men of genius, he 
was good to everyone except himself. 

One day in the early summer of 1862 I called at Gen. 
Grant's headquarters, just out of Corinth, and found Gen. 
Rawlins alone. He said, after some conversation: "By 
the bye, colonel, I have just received a letter from our 
good old friend, Parson Kent, of Galena. Some fool or 
other has told him that I was swearing a good deal." 
He handed me the letter, saying "read it." I did so. It 
was a kind letter, expressing regret to learn that he 
(Rawlins) was in the habit of using profane language 
— that it was a bad habit, unchristian and wicked, and 
that he hoped and prayed he would give up the practice. 
On my returning the letter to him, Rawlins said: "It is 
very kind in the old christian man to write me in that 
way. He is right, but I tell you, colonel," bringing his 
fist down on the table, "there is no use talking. I'll be 

if an army like this can be run without some 

swearing." 

In the early part of November, 1863, Gen. G. M. 
Dodge was ordered to march his large division from Cor- 
inth eastward to Pulaski, Tenn., some seventy-five miles 



99 

south of Nashville, My regiment belonged to his com- 
mand, and soon after its arrival at Pulaski I was ordered 
to take it to the outpost of Richland, some six miles south 
of Pulaski on the railroad, to hold tlie place with one 
other point further south on the railroad In December 
the government decided to ask the enlisted men of all 
regiments mustered into the service in the summer of 
1861 to veteranize, i. e. to enlist for the war, giving all the 
men who thus re-enlisted a thirty days' furlough and 
transportation to their homes and return. My regiment, 
I found to my gratification, re-enlisted in greater pro- 
portion than any other regiment in the division, and 
also thai my old Galena company did so almost in a 
body. This division had been actively engaged in forti- 
fying the Post of Pulaski, and in foraging in the country 
lying south and eatt of there. 

On the 15th day of December 1 was nominated by 
the President brigadier general of United States volun- 
teers. This promotion gratified me exceedingly, for I 
had been at the head of ni}' regiment as colonel for over 
two years, leading it in the battles of Fort Donelson, 
Shiloh, Siege of Corinth, luka and in the battle of Cor- 
inth, and having been absent from it on leave of absence 
only thirty days in all that time. Near the close of the 
month I reported to Gen. Grant at Nashville for assign- 
ment to duty. I left my old regiment with regret. I 
had labored hard and unremittingly from the beginning 
to make it an efficient body of soldiers. As a consequence, 
it had the reputation of being one of the best drilled, 
disciplined and efficient regiments in the Army of the 
Tennessee. Its conduct in all the battles in which it 
took part was exceedingly creditable to all its officers 
and men. It was always a favorite with the brigade 
and division commanders, and was an especial favorite 
with the veteran commander. Gen, Charles F. Smith. I 
am pleased to be able to say that it maintained its repu- 
tation in its march to the sea with the Gen. Sherman ex- 
pedition and received great praise for its gallant conduct 
in the battle of Altoona. 
L.gFO. 



CHAPTER VII. 



CIVIL WfIR, 1863-65. 

Soon after my promotion as brigadier general I re- 
ported to Gen. Grant at Nashville early in January, 
1864, for assignment to duty. He congratulated me on 
my well-deserved promotion, and said he had decided to 
assign me to a position which, without being arduous, 
would require close attention to details. It was to su- 
perintend the recruiting and organizing of colored 
troops in Tennessee and West Kentucky, a work already 
begun and which needed an energetic and discriminat- 
ing officer at its head. He said that if I had any objec- 
tion to doing the work he would assign me to some other 
duty. I replied that if he believed I was fitted to do it, 
to command me. He then said that it was the policy of 
the government, which he fully endorsed, to place a 
large force of col )red troops in the service at once; that 
the experiment of using the colored men of the South in 
the army so far had proved satisfactory. After a pause, 
he added: "I believe the colored man will make a good 
soldier. He has been accustomed all his life to lean on 
the white man, and if a good officer is placed over him, 
he will learn readil}' and make an efficient soldier." 

My headquarters were to be at Memphis, and I was 
to report to Gen. Lorenzo Thomas, the adjutant general 
of the United States army, who had been placed by the 
War department in charge of the entire work of recruit- 
ing and organizing the colored troops of the South. 
After a brief leave of absence to my home in Illinois, I 



101 

selected my staff officers and established my headquar- 
ters at Memphis. With the consent of Gen. Lorenzo 
Thomas, I had Gen. Stephen A. Hurlbut, the commander 
of the district of Memphis, appoint a board of seven offi- 
cers, representing the several arms of the service, with 
Col. Turner of the Eightieth Illinois infantry, as presi- 
dent, to examine enlisted men and officers for appoint- 
ment in the regiments of c(jlored troops. After a rigid 
examination, the board would report to me the rank the 
applicant was entitled to, recommending his appoint- 
ment, which I usually approved and forwarded to the 
War Department at Washington, upon which it issued 
a commission. The regimental and company officers of 
all volunteer regiments from the various states were com- 
missioned by the governors of the respective states, but 
with colored troops raised in the states which had seceded 
all commissions were issued by the war department. I 
had recruiting stations at Knoxville, Chattanooga, Nash- 
ville, Corinth, Columbus, Ky., Memphis and other places,. 

under competent officers. In April, Major Booth, with a f 
battalion of colored troops from my command, was sent 
to Fort Pillow, on the Mississippi river 100 miles above 
Memphis, to garrison the place. Soon after his occu- 
pancy of the fort, and before its new earthworks had 
been completed, he was attacked by a superior force 
of Gen. Forest's cavalry, under command of Colonel 
(afterwards General) Chalmers, who, after a hotly con- 
tested fight, captured the place and killed, in a most 
brutal manner, the major, his officers and every enlisted 
man. The act was a disgrace to the civilization of theage^ 
Soon after I had begun my work at Memphis I re- 
ceived a call from my friend. Gen. Sherman. After he 
had greeted me, he said in his usual earnest manner:: 
"Well, Chetlain, you have undertaken the work of mak- 
ing soldiers of colored men. You have a big job oa 



102 

your hands. The colored iiiati will make a fairly good 
soldi-r, but it will take time. Don't be too sanguine. If 
you make an efficient soldier of him in a year or a 
year and a half you will be doing well. I wish you 
success." Comparing Grant's and Sherman's opinion of 
the colored man's adaptability to make a soldier, Grant 
was right rather than Sherman, as was subsequently 
proven. 

In the month of April my old friend, Gen. C. C. 
Washburn, succeeded Gen. S. A. Hurl but as commander 
of the district of Memphis. The change gratified me 
greatly. He was thoroughly in accord with the work in 
which I was engaged, and afforded me every facility in 
his power to advance it. The district wtts in many res- 
pects a difficult one to command, or rather to control, as 
Memj)his with Vicksburg were the princi[)al shipping 
points for cotton on the river between Cairo and New 
Orleans. Gen. Washburn was not only an able mili- 
tary man, but possessed of unusual administrative ability 
and great business experience, which gave him an advan- 
tage over the ordinary military officer. His wise and 
conservative administration of affairs, in his district, 
soon became apparent. It can in truth be said that his 
administration covering the greater part of a year, was 
not only successful, but also a "clean one," all of which 
was well known and appreciated at Washington. 

I had asstaff officers at Memphis, Major Geo. L. Pad- 
dock, now a well known and successful lawyer in Chica- 
go, as Military Inspector; Lieutenant (afterwards Major) 
George Mason, now a prominent iron manufacturer in 
Chicago, and Lieutenant (afterwards Captain) Chas. P. 
Brown, now a banker in Ottumwa, la., as aides, both 
brave, energetic and efficient officers; Dr. John Rush, a 
physician and surgeon of experience and ability from 
Philadelphia, a? medical inspector; Captain C. W. W. 



103 

Clark as Qaarterraaster, and Captain (afterwards Major) 
Geo. B. Halstead as Assistant Adjutant General. Captain 
Halstead was sent to me by Gen. Lorenzo Thomas from 
Washington. He was a man of broad education, of fine 
natural ability and of genial disposition, belonging to an 
old and wealthy family of Newark, N. J., and thoroughly 
interested in the work I was doing, as were also my other 
staff officers. He had an older brother, a man of culture 
and high social standing, like himself, who sometime after 
the war, for reasons I never learned, left his home and 
friends and made his way to Lake Minnetonka, Minn., 
bought a small island in the lake, built a little log cabin 
on it and lived there alone, the life of a hermit, seldom 
going out excepting to get his mail and supplies at the 
village of Excelsior, a few miles distant. After several 
years of seclusion in his island home he died. My for- 
mer staff officer. Major Halstead, who was unmarried, 
went to his brother's old home, took up his manner of 
living and is there now at the "Hermitage" in good 
health and always glad to see his former army comrades. 
He is still the handsome, courtly and genial gentleman 
of the long ago. He occasionally attends army reunions 
at St. Paul and Minneapolis. 

Near the close of the month of June, my work in re- 
cruiting and organizing colored troops had proved so de- 
cidedly successful, that it was deemed best at Washing- 
ton to extend my field of operation over central and east 
Kentucky. I received an order to that effect and moved 
my headquarters to Louisville. The state of Kentucky 
not having seceded, retained its place in the Union, and 
its representatives their seats in congress. After the con- 
federate army had invaded the state, marshal law was 
declared. The policy of placing colored troops in the 
army was combatted by the Kentuckians. They favored 
voluntary but not forced enlistments. As soon, therefore 



104 

as I began my work of forcing able bodied colored men 
in to the Union ranks, a vigorous protest was made by citi- 
zens, and by the Kentucky members of congress. Our 
method of recruiting was simple. A com{>any of colored 
troops, fully equipped, wauld be sent to a certain section 
of the state, with orders to bring in all colored men found 
of suitable age and of apparentgood health and physique. 
After an examination by an army surgeon, all the re- 
jected were sent back to their homes. The owners of 
those accepted as fit for service had a receipt given to 
them, with the proviso inserted that all owners would 
when the time came be paid by the government, $300, 
for each slave, provided they proved their loyalty to it. 
Recruiting stations were established at Louisville, Owens- 
boro and other points in the state. 

By the 4th of July we had at Louisville one full reg- 
iment, armed, uniformed and fairly well drilled, and two 
regiments more than half filled, all officered with men 
who had had experience in the service. Colonel Bartho- 
lomew, of the full regiment, made application to be per- 
mitted to take his regiment in the forenoon of the 4th, to 
a large picnic to be given by colored people in the vicini- 
ty of th<^ city which was granted. As the regiment would 
have to march through the heart of the city, and the fact 
became known, a committee of leading citizens called 
upon me to protest against it, fearing that this display of 
colored troops in the city might lead to riot and blood- 
shed. I answered that these were United States troops, 
who had a right to pass through their city. I told the 
committee that permission had been granted to the regi- 
ment and that I hoped their citizens would have the good 
sense not to interfere with it. I sent for Col. Bartholo- 
mew and gave him instructions to have each man in the 
regiment furnished with ten rounds of ammunition, and 
if interfered with or attacked by a mob under no circum- 



105 



Stances were the men to fire nnless so ordered by an offl- 

ItL, l"^'"T' "'""'^'"^ by fours down the principal 
s reet in fine order and presented a splendid appearance. 

seen Th " """^^ "' '""' P''^^'»''">' ^ "'^^ ever 
seen The men were newly uniformed with new arms 

crnu/i r '" ™"°" S'"^*-^- The streets were 
crowded w,th people, but all was as quiet us if it had 
been a funeral procession. After the regiment had passed 
out of s,ght. the crowd became boisterous, :,r„testi,fg ve 
hemently at the insult which had been given the people 

threeT'"f"'%/''" ''' P'="'« ^^^--^ -^ ^«- d'7j; 
m/dwH , "T"*^ colored people, and was a quiet 
and well conducted affair, the regiment returned to its 
quarters by another route. The above incident s ow 

uckTartrM " P-f'« of 'he "loyal r state of kZ 
lucky, at that time. 

Soon after the occurrence related above, a commit- 
tee of lead„,g citizens, mostly from Louisvi le, we" to 

he state to join them went to President Lincoln and laid 
heir gr,eva„ces before him, representing that the meth- 
ods now practiced in their state of taking their best hands 
from the,r tobacco fields for the army 'was wro g Tnd 
won d soon ruin every tobacco grower in tlie state The 
result was, that the War Department before the midd e 

1; Kentcri''7''^r '■""^-"''-^ - -"-' a"d 
east Kentucky and ordered me back to Memphis to con 

mue my work in Tennessee and west Kentucky n 

ess than two months there had been recruited at the 

menZ IT't^"""""™ ^'^'■°"^- ^^ «>ree fuir egi! 
mens of Infantry composed of a superior class of men 
In compliance with the order I moved mv head 

cersTmlde a Tf' u"^ ""' '''' "^ "'e staff offi- 
cers 1 made a thorough inspection of the colored troops 



106 

statioiied at Louisville, Nashville, Johnsonville, Chatta- 
nooga, Knoxville, Athens Ala., Paducah and Columbus, 
ending with the four regiments at Memphis. Two regi- 
ments of infantry passed a particularly creditable inspec- 
tion; one at Nashville, was commanded by Col. W. R. Shaf- 
ter a youngofficer of rare intelligence, energy and discrimi- 
nation. I took the occasion to compliment him on the 
admirable condition of his regiment. This officer in 1867 
received a captain's commission in the regular army. I 
am greatly gratified to know that as a Major General of 
volunteers, he commanded the army of invasion against 
Santiago de Cuba, and acheived a splendid victory. The 
other regimant at Chattanooga, was commanded by Col. T. 
J. Morgan, who at the battle of Nashville won great honor 
while commanding a brigade of four colored regiments, 
capturing an important earthwork, and with it a battery of 
light artillery. Colonel (afterwards General) Morgan was 
honored by President Harrison with the appointment of 
Superintendent of Indian Affairs. He served on Gen. 0. 
O. Howard's staff as aide, before he was appointed Colo- 
nel of a colored regiment. He was highly educated, brave 
and efficient as a staff officer. After the war he became 
widely known as an advanced educator. I will add that 
the regiments of heavy artilery at Columbus and Fort 
Pickering, Memphis, passed a very creditable in- 
spection. Colonel Jas. McArthur of the former and Col- 
onel Kupner of the latter were able and efficient officers. 
The former was a brother of Gen. John McArthur. 

Before the close of the year 1864 I found I had re- 
porting to me eighteen regiments of infantry, three regi- 
ments of heavy artillery with 1,700 men in each, and 
one battery of light artillery, nearly all of which had 
been recruited during the nine months of my active 
service as superintendent. At this time the work of re- 
cruiting was deemed completed, and I was relieved from 



107 



further service. Not many months after I was, without 
sohcitation, promoted to major general by brevet for 
meritorious services. 

Gen Lorenzo Thomas, a few months later, when 
making his final report to the War Department of the 
work done by him as general superintendent, said : 
Brigadier General Chetlain reported to me and I as- 
signed him as superintendent of the recruiting service 
m Tennessee and Kentucky. He proved a most valu- 
able officer, for I found him to possess both intelligence 
and zeal, wit^i a rare qualification for the organization 
of troops. He never failed in any duty he was assigned 
either as superintendent or inspector, to which latter 
duty I assigned him. I am gratified that he was subse- 
quently rewarded by a brevet major general " 

The average citizen of to-day, even amor7g' th^ 
who took an active part in the late civil war, has no cor- 
rectideaof the number of colored men enlisted as sol- 
Tr11\u. L^''^^^^^ Thomas informed me in November, 
IbH that reports showed that there were 179,000 colored 
soldiers fit for duty, and, adding the disabled and absent 
on furlough, the total would have been about 200 000 
a large army of itself, numbering nearly one-sixth of the 
entire Union army. When the policy of the govern- 
ment was first promulgated, it met with opposition both 
m and out of the army. The argument was that this 
was a white man's war and should be fought out by 
white men. ^ "^ ^.v 

mnn^^T"'^ ^^' ^""^''^ ^^ ^" '^'^y ^^t^' ^"d while com- 
manding the post at Corinth near the close of 1862 su- 
permtended the recruiting and organizing of the first 
regiment of cofored troops m the West north of New 
Orleans. I believed then, that as the negroes or colored 

fan that they should fight for their freedom by taking 



lOS 

part as soldiers in effecting that result. During my 
service as superintendent I addressed scores of meetings 
of these people, giving them such advice as I thought 
they needed. The colored soldiers, as the representa- 
tives ot over 4,000,000 slaves, who served in the Union 
army during the war, deserve great credit for what they 
did to save the Union. 

Some time in July 1864 a bold dash was made at day- 
break by a company of Gen. Forrest's cavalry into Mem- 
phis. Their object was clearly not to fight, pillage or de- 
stroy property, but to capture the general commanding 
and other general officers supposad to be in Memphis. 
Gen. Washburn's headquarters were visited first. Before 
the raiders could reach his room he had hastily put on 
citizen's dress, quietly passed out of the back door into 
an alley, down the alley a few blocks to the river, and 
down the river bank a half mile to Fort Pickering. 
The raiders, failing to get the general in command, has- 
tily went to the Gayoso hotel near by, where Gen. Hurl- 
but was stopping, only to find that he had gone to the 
house of a friend for the night. They then proceeded to 
my old headquarters, where they were told that I had 
left the city some weeks before. The discomfitted raid- 
ers then beat a hasty retreat, losing a few men in passing 
through the picket line. While in Gen. Washburn's 
headquarters they captured his best uniform. The story 
that was afterwards current that the general had escaped 
in a citizen's coat, a stove-pipe hat and a pair of boots is 
a myth. A few days after the raid Gen. Forrest, under 
a flag of truce, sent to Gen. Washburn his uniform, with 
a note saying that he had sent his men to capture him, 
not his clothes. Not to be outdone by Gen. Forrest in 
high-toned generosity, he went to the general's former 
tailor in Memphis (Forrest was a cotton broker in Mem- 
phis before the war) and ordered for him a uniform of 



109 



the best material, which he had sent to him by fla^ of 
IS said the letters which passed between thes^ officers 

7:l ::t;;x^ ''''" ' -^^ '^- ^^^ - '^n 

About the middle of October I received „ i 
absence for fifteen days to go to m/hore .t g le I to 

ty. We were out together three days, speaking everv 
afternoon and evening. During that tim I beclme we 1 
acquainted with him. I found him posseesed If, 'di 
experience, sound judgment and a nios grldous a d 

winning manner. Without being a great orafo he la"1 
way of discussing issues and stating facts that m„V i 

speeches strong and convincing. Ever nee TK 

garded him as one of the ablfs, most cons^r a K^ r^-" 

.able and efficient members of our national legis latu 

In January, 1865, I was appointed commander of 
the post and forces of Memphis to succeed Gen R P 
Buckland of Ohio, who had a splendid record in the 
-and who had been preceded by Gen J C Ve eVTf 
ndiana, an officer of rare ability, and who up to t'hat 
time had won an enviable reputation on the battle fi Id 
The troops n, my command consisted of a div ion f; 
twelve regiments of infantry, eight of which were whitf 

Try X:t-r'"''r '''^ -g--t "t "la ■ art 
ieo at Fort Pickering, four batteries of light artillerv 
-nd two regiments of cavalry. This was th^e thfrd time 



110 

I ha<i been placed in command of a post — Smithland, 
Corinth and now Mempliis. It seems that I had earned 
the reputation of being a good administrative officer, 
which no doubt accounted for this last appointment. 
The duties of ray new position I knew would be arduous 
and at times complicated. Soon after I assumed this 
command my old friend, Gen. Washburn, was relieved 
and sent to Vicksburg to command that district, and 
Gen. N. T. J. Dana was appointed to succeed him at 
Memphis. 

Near the close of March, 1865, I went to Galena on 
a short leave of absence, and on the 6th day of April I 
was married to Mrs. Annie M. Smith, the daughter of 
Mr. John Edwards, an old and prominent citizen of 
Rockford. Ill, and the widow of Colonel Melancthon 
Smith, who was killed at Vicksburg in June, 1863, 
while leading a portion of his regiment, the Forty-fifth 
Illinois, in an assault on Fort Hill after it had been 
blown up and after he had entered it. Lieut. Col. Smith 
was an officer of marked ability and a favorite with Gen. 
Grant. He was a practicing lawyer at the Rockford bar 
bafore the war, and was gifted as a writer and orator. 
During his two years of service he achieved a splendid 
reputation for thorough knowledge of his duties, his 
cool courage, general efficiency and good fellowship. For 
some time before the war he had been a member of 
Ellsworths' company of Zouaves. His widow, whom 
I married, was a lady of attractive personality, of 
many accomplishments, of much will force, tactful 
and self-reliant. Colonel Smith had been appointed 
postmaster at Rockford and on entering the volunteer 
service had appointed his wife his deputy. Alter his 
death she was appointed to fill the office by President 
Lincoln, which was an innovation, as no other woman 
had ever before been appointed postmistress. 



Ill 

After iny marriage I returned to Memphis, taking 
my wife with me. The next day after my return Presi- 
dent Lincohi was assassinated. The excitement in Mem- 
phis on the receipt of the sad news was intense. I called 
on Gen. Washburn, who commanded the district, and we 
arranged for holding a mass meeting in Jackson Square 
the next day (Sunday) to give expression to the feeling 
of grief felt by all over the great national calamity. I 
was selected to preside at the meeting. Gen. C. C. Wash- 
burn made the first address. He was followed by Gen. 
N. P. Banks, who had arrived by boat at Memphis the 
morning of the day of the meeting, on his way to New 
Orleans. His address was one of rare force and elo- 
quence. The audience of over 10,000 people was com- 
posed of soldiers and citizens, many of the latter being 
colored people, who were visibly affected by the addresses 
made. The old residents of Memphis were particular- 
ly interested in the sad event, as Vice President Andrew 
Johnson, a Tennesseean, had by it become President of 
the United States. 

In the month of June Gen. Washburn, who at his 
own request was about to be mustered out of the service 
desired to meet the citizens of his district to deliver a 
farewell address. A mass meeting of citizens, white and 
colored, was called at La Grange, forty miles east of 
Memphis. The meeting was attended by at least 10,000 
people. Gen. Washburn was accompanied by Gen. John 
E. Smith and myself. In his address he gave all much 
timely advice, and closed by speaking on the subject of 
suffrage. He gave utterance to advanced and radical 
ideas. He favored giving all the colored men of the 
South the privilege of voting at all elections at once and 
all in the South who had been disloyal to the gov- 
ernment to be debarred from voting for five years, 



112 

after which all would be granted the privilege who 
would take the oath of allegiance to the government. 
His remarks were enthusiastically received by the col- 
ored people, but were evidently distasteful to most of the 
whites. When I spoke, following the General, I, too, 
touched upon the all-absorbing question of suffrage. I 
stated in substance that I believed in giving the ballot to 
all colored ex-soldiers and to all colored men who could 
read or who had property to the amount of say |250. All 
the white men who had been in the Confederate army or 
who had been disloyal to the government during the war, 
were to be prohibited from voting for five years at least, 
after which all who would take the oath of allegiance to 
the government would be allowed to vote. My conviction 
was that the conditions imposed upon the colored men 
to be able to read or to own property would be an incen- 
tive to all who were debarred to learn to read or accumu- 
late a little property in order to be entitled to the ballot. 
Subsequent events proved that Gen. Washburn was on 
the popular side of the question, and yet, as the dreary 
days of reconstruction passed by I felt that had my plan 
been adopted it would have been for the good of the col- 
ored people in the South in the end. 

Gen. John E. Smith, who was to succeed Gen. 
Washburn as commander of the district of Memphis, 
was introduced and spoke briefly. Gen. Smith was an 
old friend and townsman of mine, who had been the 
Colonel of the Forty-fifth Illinois Infantry (the Leadmine 
regiment,) in 1861 and 1862, and proved himself an offi- 
cer of superior ability and efficiency. He entered the 
regular army in 1867 as colonel of the Twenty-seventh 
infantry, and before his retirement was niade a Briga- 
dier General in the United States army. He had been a 
brigadier general and a major general by brevet in the 
volunteer service. 



113 

In the early part of 1864, when Gen. Sherman was 
in command of the Department of the Mississippi with 
headquarters at Nashville, with his usual practical sense 
he issued an order compelling all male citizens of Mem- 
phis of proper age, without regard to color, to serve in 
the militia, and officers of the Union army were detailed 
to organize and command them. Five full regiments 
(one of which was colored) were soon organized and 
armed. Captain Decatur G. Chapin, of Galena, 111., an 
intelligent, active and painstaking officer, was detailed to 
organize and command the colored regiment, the onl}' 
one of the five composed entirely of men loyal to the 
Union. Gen. Sherman intended that in case of a raid, 
like that of Forrest's cavalry, or a general attack on Mem- 
phis, the enemy should be met and resisted, in part at 
least, by the militia or "Home Guards." In the spring 
of 1865 Colonel Von Schroeder, the Inspector General of 
the Department, came to Memphis to inspect my division. 
After the inspection, he reported my command in excel- 
lent condition, and added that the four colored regiments 
passed a better inspection than some of the white regi- 
ments. They were better drilled and their quarters 
were in better condition, probably owing to the more 
careful attention of their company officers. 

In the summer of 1864 my only son, then in the 
preparatory department of the University of Wisconsin, 
spent his summer vacation with me at Memphis. He was 
in his fifteenth year and well grown for his age. I ap- 
pointed him a volunteer aide on my staff" and he soon 
proved himself of valuable assistance to me. He acquir- 
ed much information during his brief service which he 
claims was of value to him in after years. 

In the early summer of 1865 I received a visit from 
Col. Frank A. Eastman of Chicago who had recently been 
married to Miss Gertrude Barrett of Chicago, whose father 

H 



114 

had been a wholtsale clothing merchant in Galena, iis 
1854-55. Eastman started life as a newspaper man and 
later became a wholesale men hant in Chicago. During 
the war he was elected to the State Senate of Illinois, and 
was api)ointed by President Grant during his first admin- 
istration, Postmaster of Chicago. After his term of office- 
had expired, he returned to his first love, "the newspaper," 
and was on the editorial staff of the Chicago Times for 
several years. He has continued as a newspaper writer 
to the present time. Col. Eastman has great ability as a 
writer, always wielding a graceful and forcible i)en. He 
is a politician, but never a partisan, and is a gentleman 
of broad education, of wide and varied information, cour^ 
teous, of a reticent dis{)Ositon and of uncompromising in- 
tegrity. 

In October 18G5, I was relieved of the command of 
the i)Ost and forces of Memj)his, and ordered to re[)ort to- 
Gen. Thomas commanding the Department of the Miss- 
issippi with liead(|uarters at Nashville, for assignment to- 
duty. I was ordered to report to Gen. Wood, command- 
ing the Department of the Gulf, at Mobile, who assigned 
me to the central District of Alabama with headquarters 
at Taladega. I succeded Gen. Daviess who had been 
assigned to the southern District of Alabama, with head- 
(juarters at Montgomery. I found the command in every 
way an agreeable one, being composed of several regi- 
ments of Infantry and a portion of Gen. Hatch's division 
of Cavalry. The district had in it a few union men, but 
the greater part had either been southern sympathizers 
or had been actively engaged in the confederate army. 
All however accepted the new order of things, and were 
earnestly trying to repair the fortunes they had wrecked 
during the war. 

Toward the close of the year the colored (people, es- 
pecially those in the southern half of my district, in 



115 

which lies a part of the "cane brake" or cotton growing 
section of Alabanni, became dissatisfied and were unwill- 
ing to enter into contract to work on the cotton planta- 
tions during the succeeding year. They had imbibed 
the erronious idea that the government intended to give 
the head of eveiy fmnily a mule, a cow, farming imple- 
ments and a few acres of ground, which they would cul- 
tivate and be indepentlent of the white phinters. I 
turned my attention to this class of peo[)le, called them 
together wheii I could, explained to thenj the ti'ue con- 
dition of affairs and advised them to make contracts 
at once with the planters for the ensuing year. My ad- 
vice was generally heeded, and when this was evident to 
the planters, I had calls from all [)arts of my district to 
address the colored ptople. The fact was made known 
to Gen. Thomas at Nashville, by the [danters, who tele- 
graphed me to go to any [)art of my district, or beyond 
it, where I thought addresses to the colored people would 
do good, and thus enlarge the work I had begun in Tal- 
adega and the adjoining counties. The |)lanters afford- 
ed me every facility in their power to carry on the work 
and were grateful to me for what I was doing, for I 
seemed to be a (lodsend to them. Gen. Daviess, of the 
Montgomery Dictrict, had detailed officers from the 
Freedmen's Bureau, who did work in his district with 
similar results. Among the planters who expressed a 
grateful a{>preciati(>n of my services was Gen. Hardee, 
of the Confederate army, who had a large cotton planta- 
tion in Green county in the southern part of my district. 
In the month of January, 1866, many regiments of 
the volunteer service having been mustered out, result- 
ing in the consolidation of several districts, I, with many 
other general officers, was mustered (mt of the service. I 
was strongly urged by leading citizens in my district to 
remain in Alabama, where I had become favorably 



116 



known, and engage in cotton planting, as many other 
ex-ofRcers of the Union Army were doing. My wife's 
health not being of the best, and my own inclination 
to live in the North rather than in the South, induced 
me to return home, after an active service in the Union 
army of four years and nine months. The summer of 
1866 I spent in looking up the loose ends of a business I 
had left five years before. The succeeding winter we 
spent in Washington, where we met many friends and 
acquaintances. 

The following interesting incident occurred during 
that winter at a reception given by the Secretary of the 
Treasury, Hon. S. P. Chase, and presided over by his 
daughter Mrs. Sprague. I had the honor of being pre- 
sented to Prof. Agassiz, then at the height of his fame. 
As the professor was a Swiss, born in the canton of 
Freibourg, adjoining that of Neuchatel, wheie my pa- 
rents were born, I alluded to the fact, expressing my 
gra ification at meeting him and making his acquaint- 
ance. He soon turned to war matters and spoke of the 
Swig»6 officers who had served in the civil war. I said 
that he well knew that there were many of them who 
had served as regimental and staff officers, but that there 
were but three general officers. General John E. Smith 
and myself in the Union army, both from the same 
town and old friends, and at the close of the war Major 
Generals by brevet. Gen. Smith was born in Phila- 
delphia, Pa., and I was born in St. Louis, Mo., the year 
after my parents had located there. Our parents were 
French-Swiss. The third was Gen. Zollicoffer, a Ger- 
man-Swiss of Nashville, Tenn., and a prominent citizen, 
who entered the Confederate army and was killed in bat- 
tlei n 1862. The professor became much interested in my 
statement, and said: ''Well, general, we can thank God 
that two of the three were in the Union army and that 



117 

both are living." I then said that there was another 
'fSwitzer" living in Chicago, who was born in Switzer- 
land and who served in the Union army all through the 
wHr, a highly intelligent, brave and efficient officer, 
Gen. Herman Lieb, who did some staff duty and was the 
colonel of a cavalry regiment and brevetted a Brigadier 
General, for meritorious services, at the close of the war, 
who, I thought, ought also to be classed as a general 
officer of Swiss parentage. I was glad to make the ac- 
quainiance of this distinguished naturalist of world-wide 
renown. 

In 1867 Gen. John E. Smith, tiie United States As- 
sessor of Internal Revenue for Utah, having been ap- 
pointed a colonel in the regular army resigned his posi- 
tion in Utah. I was induced by the Utah delegate to 
congress to accept the appointment as Gen. Smith's suc- 
cessor, and early in March with my wife started for 
Utah, going by railroad to the Platte river and then by 
stage via Denver. The snow in the mountains had fallen 
to an unusual depth that spring, and the trip to Salt 
Lake City was made in an open sleigh, which carried 
the mail. We traveled mostly by day and rested at 
night. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



UTAH. 1867-9— THE MORMONS AND MORMONISM. 

I reached Salt Lake City, to wl.ich place I had been 
appointed to fill the jiosition of United States Assessor 
of Internal Revenue, at the close of the month of March, 
1867. While descending the western slope of the Wa- 
satch mountains I looked for the first time upon the 
great valley, forty by fifteen miles in extent, at the north- 
ern part of which is Salt Lake City, and eight miles west 
of it is the Great Salt Lake. The view was one of rare 
beauty and grandeur. The broad valley was already 
tinged with the delicate green of early spring and the 
numerous orchards of fruit trees were in bloom. I could 
easily understand how the vanguard of the Mormon 
emigration in 1847, with Brigham Young, "the seer and 
prophet" at its head, was enchanted and decided to take 
and occupy "the promised land," the "Zion of the Lord." 
At that time (1867) Salt Lake City, built on a gentle 
slope of great extent at the northern end of the valley 
through which flows the river Jordan and under the 
shadow of Mount Pisgah, had a population of nearl}' 
20,000 and the territory of Utah about 120,000, nearly 
one-third of whom were emigrants brought from various 
foreign countries by the "perf)etual emigration fund" of 
the church. 

When I was receiving my instructions at Washing- 
ton, prior to my departure for Utah, I was informed by 
the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, Mr. Rollins, that 
he desired me to use diligence in getting all the revenue 



119 

which righlfully belonged to the government and to 
avoid taking sides with the Mormons or the anti-Mor- 
mons (Gentiles); that the fight there between these fac- 
tions had been bitter in the past and he feared the 
cffieienc}' of the assessor might be impaired and the rev- 
enue suffer. Soon after I had assumed my official duties 
I made a formal call upon Brigham Young, who, as Pres- 
ident of the Council of the Mormon church was addressed 
as "President" by some, and having been governor 
of the territory by appointment of President Fillmore, 
was addressed as "Governor." by others. I preferred to 
use the latter title. Governor Young received me cor- 
■dially and we had a long talk about ni}' duties as assessor. 
I stated to him frankly that in coming to the T( rritory as 
s. government official I had no prejudices and intended 
to treat Mormons and Gentiles alike, just as \ would 
the people of any other state or t- rritory. He replied : 
''You are right, and you can depend upon me to help 
you all I can. I believe our people will be fair and hon- 
est in making their returns to you." 

I received my first impression of this singular man 
•during that interview. He was a little reticent at first, 
but soon talked freely and well. In physique he was of 
medium height and somewhat stout, with rather small, 
clear bluish eyes, and a face indicative of shrewdness, 
firmness and force. His language in conversation was 
such as to make his idea clear and no more. He was 
i>ever verbose. I soon afterwards learned that as a busi- 
ness man he had few equals in the great far West. To 
illustrate his business methods, I will state that in 1846, 
when the Mormons were sojourning temporarily at Fre- 
mont, near to and west of Omaha, Major Kearney, of the 
United States army, in behalf of the government, called 
upon Brigha-m Young, the head of the Mormon church, 
and asked if he could furnish from his young men a 



120 

batallion of 500 for service in the Mexican war, Brig- 
ham Young answered: Yes, you shall have them in 
three days. The batallion was ready on time and was 
mustered into the volunteer service. 

When the Union Pacific railroad was being con- 
structed in 1868-69, Brigham Young took a contract for 
grading over 100 miles of road across the Wasatch 
mountains, from just west of Fort Bridger to the north 
end of Great Salt Lake, and one of the directors of the 
road told me that he was present when Governor Young 
was talking with the committee of directors about the 
contract, and that all agreed that he was a shrewd, broad- 
gauged business man, who, without having studied civil 
engineering or assisted in railroad construction seemed 
to know more about the details of railroad construction 
than the average expert. He had a temper hard to con- 
trol at times, and when he was deeply angered he was a 
fully developed tornado. He was naturally disposed to 
treat everybody well, and was kind and generous to his 
friends, but bitter and unrelenting to any one he be- 
believed to be his enemy. He asked no one to accept 
his faith, but simply desired to be let alone in his belief. 

Governor Brigham Young was, by intuition, a 
good judge of men. I noticed that not only in the se- 
lection of men for positions in the church, but also in 
the choice of agents to manage business affairs, such as 
the directors of "Zion's Co-operative Mercantile Institu- 
tion," an immense wholesale establishment, his judg- 
ment seemed unerring. That his word was law in Utah, 
in state as well as in church matters, was patent to 
every one. The strange thing was that the men he thus 
controlled were not "weaklings" in intellect, or inex- 
perienced, but men of brain force, thorough knowl- 
edge of affairs, and who would have been regarded as 
strong men in any community. Such men as Clawson, 



121 

Hooper, Jennings, Gen. Eklridge, formerly presidant of 
the Deseret National Bank, Farr, Godbe, Gen. Burton of 
the militia, Gen, Wells, former mayor, George A. Smith, 
Little, Hills and others I might mention, were all level- 
headed, shrewd, aggressive and successful men. 

One of the remarkable schemes inaugurated at an 
early time by Governor Young was the "Perpetual Emi- 
gration Fund" of the church, to bring to Utah emigrant 
converts to the Mormon ciiurch from foreign countries, 
mostly from Europe and Great Britian. This fund has 
always been large, being a percentage of the annual 
tithing paid by the members of the church. The mis- 
sionaries (all men), sent out to all parts of the world, re- 
ceived no pay for their services. When I was in Utah 
there were about one thousand thus employed. The 
usual term of service was three years; The converts, 
when desiring to emigrate were sent to some sea- 
port in the United States, and from there in charge of 
an agent or missionary were taken to Utah. Probably 
three-fourths of all these emigrants were from the labor- 
ing classt s, and a large part people utterly destitute and 
belonging to the very lowest classes. Upon their arrival 
in Utah, if the head of a family, he was sent to some 
locality selected by the managers, where he was placed in 
charge of the bishop of the district, put upon a piece of 
land ten to twenty acres in extent, an adobe house was 
built for him, a yoke of oxen, a wagon, a cow and a few 
pigs and sheep were given, or sold to him on long credit. 
The bishop or his agent taught him when and how to 
plant his seed, how to cultivate the soil, irrigate his 
crops, etc. By this careful training these emigrants be- 
came in a few years well-to-do farmers. Such of the 
emigrants as had trades were sent out and put to work 
in places where they were needed. Single persons were 
given employment on farms or in factories. The schools 



122 

in the territoiT were numerous and fairly good. This 
system of eaiigration had then been going on successfully 
for nearly twenty years, and is still carried on. It was esti- 
mated in 1868 that nearly one-third of the population 
of the territory had been brought into it by the aid of 
the Emigration fund of the church. However objec- 
tionable Mormoni>m may have been to the average citi- 
zen of the United States, one thing must be clear to him, 
and that is that the moral, intellectual, and certainly the 
worldl}' condition of the emigrant has been immensely 
improved. And here let me say that in my two years' 
stay in Salt Lake City I never saw so little open 
immorality in a city of 20,000 inhabitants as in 
that city, and I will add that when the people 
of that Territory made their returns to the United 
States Assessor they were, I believe, as fair and honest in 
making them as the people of any other state or terri- 
tory. Moreover, I was seldom the guest of a Mormon 
family in any part of Utah, which did not have prayers 
offered at least once a day, and no meal was taken with- 
out the blessing being asked at table by the head of the 
family. I am no apologist for Morraonism, nor for its 
creed or practices, but the facts I have stated should not 
be ignored by the Christian and {)hilanthiopist. But 
few of their disagreements are ever taken to the courts 
of justice. They are usually settled by mutual friends. 
The creed of the Mormon church is a very singular 
one. In some of its essentials it is not unlike that of 
many of our evangelical churches. When I went to 
Utah I resolved to familiarize myself with its creed. I 
had access to one of the best libraries in the city and 
began to study carefully the works of Parley Pratts, 
"Key to Theology," "Celestial Marriage" and "Material- 
ism," and the standard works of the church, viz: "The 
Doctrines," "Covenant" and the "Book of Mormon.'. 



123 

The last named has never sujjplanted the Bible in the 
A-formon church. It is an addenda, much as the Apuc- 
rapha of the Bible, which has always been regarded as a 
portion of the sacred writings by certain theologians, and 
is a history of what is claimed to have been a portion of 
the ancient Hebrews. A fact not generally known is 
that the Book of Mormon strictly forbids concubinage 
and the marrying of more than one wife. Polygamy 
was revealed to the head of the Mormon church in the 
latter part of the '40s, but was not given to that body 
until 1850. 

On inquiry I found that the creed of the church 
had never been formulated, so I set about the rather 
difficult task of doing it and brought it out under twenty 
heads or articles. In brief, the church of "Jesus Christ 
of the Latter Day Saints" believes and teaches the doc- 
trine of the Trinity, of future reward and punishment, 
faith and good works necessary to salvation, the second 
coming of Christ, and also materialism. It does not be- 
lieve in original sin — that in "Adam's fall we sinned all." 
It believes in an intermediate place to which all at death 
go, and where the true gospel is preached. All who ac- 
cept this gospel will be saved, and all who reject it will 
be eternally damned. It believes in miracles and the 
healing of the sick b}^ prayer and the laying on of hands, 
in polygamy, in celestial marriage, and that God now re- 
veals his will to his chosen peofjle as in the da^'s of old. 
The belief in celestial marriage is not accepted generally 
by the church, nor is that in regard to polygamy, notably 
by the Joseph Smith branch of the Mormon church. I 
placed my summary of the creed of the church in the 
hands of Elder George Q. Cannon, one of the most 
learned theologians in the church, for revision, who. 
after careful reading, said it was all right, except that the 
doctrine of celestial marriage was not generally accepted 
,bv the church. 



124 

Twenty years before I vvent to Utah the Mormons 
made their advent into the Salt Lake valley and began 
the process of reclaiming an arid wilderness in the fast- 
nesses of the mountains. Twenty years of judiciously 
directed work had wrought wonders. Many of the val- 
leys in the mountains in all parts of that widely extend- 
ed territory had been made to bloom like a garden, and 
the inhabitants appeared to be healthy, prosperous and 
contented. When I came there the friction between the 
Mormons and Gentiles in Salt Lake City had to a great 
extent ceased. After the Mormon troubles with the gov- 
ernment in 1856, sometimes called the ''Mormon Rebell- 
ion," while Brigham Young was territorial governor, 
and United States troops were stationed at Camp Doug- 
las, near Salt Lake City, there came with them man y 
Gentiles, directly and indirectly connected with the 
army, and many others to engage in trading, to practice 
their professions, with some sporting men and women of 
questionable character. The Mormons, when in control 
of affairs in the years before had prohibited the sale and 
manufacture of spirituous and malt liquors. The Gen- 
tiles began to do both. Serious trouble followed and 
much bad blood was engendered. When I arrived there 
ten years later, although there was still much friction 
between the factions, matters were comparatively quiet. 
That the Mormons had been harsh and unfair in their 
treatment of resident Gentiles during the earlier part of 
the twenty years is no doubt true. 

It must not be forgotten, however, that the Mor- 
mons sought out this remote mountain region to escape 
what they deemed persecution in Ohio, Missouri and 
Illinois, where they could worship God in peace and ac- 
cording to the dictates of their consciences. The Mor- 
mon church was organized at Kirtland, Ohio, in the 
early '30s. They claim that they were not well received or 



125 

treated kindly by thatpeople. A portion of them, led by 
Brigham Young, removed to Far West, Mo. There 
they were treated worse than in Ohio, and were expelled 
from the state by order of the governor, who threatened 
to use the militia of the state to enforce his order of ex- 
pulsion. From Fur West and other places in Missouri 
they went in a body to Hancock county, 111., locating 
chiefly at Nauvoo, where they erected a costly church 
or massive edifice known as the "Temple." Thev in- 
creased rapidly in numbers and wealth and became a 
potent political power. The "Prophet and Seer," Joseph 
Smith, was at the head of the church. Serious disagree- 
ments arose between the Mormons and the citizens of 
Nauvoo and the adjacent towns, ending in open conflict. 
The state, through its governor, sent militia to the dis- 
turbed district. Mob violence followed, and Joseph 
Smith and hi? brother Hyrum were murdered while 
under arrest and in prison and the lives of leading Mor- 
mons were threatened. Tliey were notified that they 
must leave or take the consequence. They might not 
always have acted wisely or well since settling in Nauvoo 
and its vicinity. Some of them may have acted badly, 
but the conduct of their townsmen and neighbors cj,n- 
not be palliated or justified. Moreover, it must be 
borne in mind that in all these years polygamy was not 
a part of the Mormon creed, and was not practiced by 
them. 

At last the Mormons, numbering some 16,000 souls, 
heeding the counsels of citizens of the state who desired 
to put an end to this conflict, determined to leave and 
seek some country where they would be free from the an- 
noyances and, in some instances, persecutionsjto which 
they had been subjected for fifteen years. Many of the 
Mormons, who could not or would not obey the scripture 
injunction to "forgive your enemies" left Illinois full of 



126 

wratli and revengeful. Judge John Moses, in his ad- 
mirable and comprehensive History of Illinois, recently 
published, gives a full account of the conflict between 
the Mormons and anti-Mormons at Nauvoo and their 
expulsion from the state. He says: "The assassination 
of Joseph Smith and the expulsion of the Mormons from 
the state, including many thousands of innocent women 
and children, cannot be justified on any principle of 
natural equity or just government. Their unwelcome 
presence, made so by the offensive conduct of their lead- 
ers, however intolerable, ought not to have subjected 
them as a body to evictional proceedings. High-handed 
and indefensible as these measures were, however, they 
proved to be beneficial to the Mormons raiher than in- 
jurious." While in their mountain home, where they 
were "masters of the situation," they organized secret 
bands, ostensibly for self protection, such as the "Dan- 
ites." or "avenging angels," of which so much has been 
said and written and of which Governor Young was 
said to have been the commander or controlling spirit, 
but strenuously denied by all leading Mormons. This 
"Danite" band did not exist when I lived in Utah. At 
least, I could not learn of its existence, although several 
men were pointed out to me as former members of the 
band. 

At Salt Lake City I found in the office of Superin- 
tendent of Indian Agencies Mr. Franklin Head, of Wis- 
consin, who, with his family, had come there the year 
before. He was a man ol broad education, genial man- 
ner and an efficient officer. For the past score of years 
he has lived in Chicago, and is well known as a capital- 
ist and banker and a leader in literary circles. In the 
spring of 1868 the great Mormon tabernacle, capable of 
seating 10,000 people, was completed. Mr. Head, as 
well as myself, believed that it would be a good idea to 



127 

holil a mass meeting in it and celebrate the approaching; 
4th of July. The leading Mormons agreed with us, and 
a great celebration with a mass meeting was the result. 
Governor Durkee presided and Mr. Head was the prin- 
cipal speaker. His address of nearly an hour was able^ 
eloquent and patriotic. 1 then addressed the meeting^ 
for half an hour and was followed by Governor Young 
and Elder George A. Smith. The militia and many 
thousands of citizens and Sunday school children paradedl 
the streets, led by two bands of music, just previous to 
the meeting at the tabernacle. After the meeting Mayor 
Wells served an elaborate lunch at the city hall, to 
which were invited some fifty gentlemen, including the 
city, territorial and federal officers and leading Mormon 
and Gentile citizens. Several brief patriotic addresses- 
were made. I learn that the day has been celebreted in 
Salt Lake City and other leading towns in the territory 
ever since. 

Ex-Senator Charles Durkee, who presided over the 
mass meeting at the tabernacle, was one of the early 
settlers of Wisconsin, served in the territorial legislature^, 
and in 1855 was elected to the United States senate as a 
Freesoiler. He was a[)pointed Governor of Utah in 
1865, was a quiet man of large and varied experience in 
public affairs, of kindly disposition and of sturdy integ- 
rity. His administration as Governor of Utah was ac- 
ceptable to the authorities at Washington. 

In the summer of 1867 I made the acquaintance of 
Waah-Kie, chief of the Shoshone Indians, whose reserva- 
tion had been in Idaho, but at that time was in the 
Uintah mountains in Northern Utah. He was about 50 
years of age and a splendid specimen of a man, over six 
feet in height and as straight as an arrow. His face 
below the eyebrows was not unlike that of Benjamin 
Franklin. His head was large and well set on his- 



128 

shoulders, and his forehead broad but somewhat reced- 
ing. His eyes were mild and expressive and his smile 
pleasant. In disposition he was gentle, firm and brave. 
He boasted, and truthfully it is believed, that he had 
never knowingly killed a "pale face." In many wars 
waged against neighboring tribes he always proved him- 
self a wily, fearless and able chieftain, who had won 
many a hotly contested battle. His tribe, chiefly through 
his influence, was always friendly to the whites, and 
often proved of great value to the United States govern- 
ment as an ally in wars with other Indian tribes. 
It received its annuities at Fort Bridger, a military 
post 100 miles east of Salt Lake City. 

In the summer of 1868, while visiting with m}^ wife, 
army officers at Fort Bridger, Wash-Kie came there with 
a portion of his tribe and camped in the vicinity of the 
Fort. I met him and he invited me to come and see 
him at his camp. I found him in his tepee (wigwam) 
and he greeted me cordially. He told me through an 
interpreter, that he was feeling badly over the condition 
of his only daughter, who was seriously ill in the next 
tepee. My wife, who obtained his consent to see her, 
went to the tepee and spent some time with her. She 
was a sweet girl of some 18 years of age and evidently 
in the last stages of pulmonary consumption. With 
the assistance of a young Indian woman who had lived 
in a Mormon family she was able to converse with her. 
The chief, while speaking to me of his daughter, whose 
mother was dead, and his love for her and the certainty 
of her death, tears were in his eyes. He seemed to have 
faith and believed he would meet her again in the happy 
hunting grounds to which she was going. My call on 
Wash-Kie was on a Sunda}'^ morning, and I remarked to 
him that his camp seemed very quiet and asked him if 
he observed Sunday as the white man did. He replied 



129 

that he tried to keep his young men in camp on Sunday, 
and never allowed them to indulge in games or in horse- 
racing and that he never sent them out on the chase un- 
less they were out of meat He spoke of the Indian 
wars and deprecated them. He alluded with evident 
feeling to the dishonest practices of many of the govern- 
ment Indian agents in dealing with the red men, and 
added that he thought the troubles between the Indians 
and the whites, ending so oft«:n in bloody wars, were the 
result of their bad practices. When I was taking my 
leave of him he asked me for one of my photographs — 
one taken while I was in the army, which I happened to 
have — and I gave it to him. I never met Wash-Kie 
again. His daughter died a few days after we left Fort 
Bridger. Wash-Kie died a few years ago. Gen. Sher- 
idan once remarked that "there may have been good In- 
dians, but I guess all the good Indians are dead." I 
have no great faith in the average Indian of to-day nor 
admiration for his character, but I think Wash-Kie, the 
chief of the Shoshones, was not only a good Indian, but 
one who could in truth be said to have been '"a noble 
red man." I will add that the Mormons and this tribe 
of Indians, once powerful, but at that time reduced to 
less than 3,000 souls, were always friendly. Many of the 
children of these Indians, orphans usually, were taken 
into Mormon families and educated and the boys taught 
useful trades. 

At Salt Lake City I found a Protestant Episcopal 
Church organized, with the Rev. Mr. Foote as rector. 
The services were held in one of the public halls and 
were attended by army officers stationed at Fort Doug- 
las and their families, Federal officials and other gentile 
citizens. Before I left the city in 1869, a handsome little 
church edifiice had been erected and dedicated. Rev. Mr. 
FoDte, who for a couple of years had been a chaplain of a 

I 



130 

New York regiment in the civil war, was a clergyman 'of 
more than ordinary ability, earnestly devoted to his work 
ol attractive manner an 1 popular. I saw a good deal of 
him socially, during my two years stay in Salt Lake City 
and became much attached to him. Bishop Tuttle of the 
Protestant Episcopal Diocese of Utah, Montana and Idaho 
and whose wife was a sister of Mr. Foote, made Salt Lake 
City his home a part of the time, and I became well ac- 
quainted with him. He was a conspicuous figure in his 
diocese. Of splendid physique, over six feet in height,, 
straight as a Norway pine, with a fine and well poised 
head, bright eyes and an expressive and benignant face. 
He was a forceful speaker and had withal a rare faculty 
of drawing men to him. As a result he was popular in 
his diocese with all classes, especially with the miners 
and ranchmen, and his work of organizing churches, 
(usually mission churches) in the cities and towns of his 
widely extended field was most successful. Bishop Tut- 
tle was born and educated in the State of New York. An 
athlete when a boy and young man, he became proficient 
in the "manly art of self defense." A good story is told 
of him which I will relate. In Montana the Bishop was 
traveling in one of Wells and Fargo's fine six horse- 
coaches with two ranchmen and a woman and small 
child as traveling companions. At nightfall some slight 
accident brought the coach to a stop. The driver, phy- 
sically a fine specimen of a man, and widely known as a 
clever pugilist, was abusing everybody and everything 
in language coarse and profane. The Bishop expostulat- 
ed with him, reminding him of the presence of a lady. 
He was told to mind his own business. The Bishop's 
coat flew off and in less than two minutes the stalwart 
driver was laid out by the roadside in the sage bush. He 
became much subdued, regained his feet, repaired the 
damage which was slight, and drove on to the next 



131 

station in silence. The driver told his friends at the 
station that he had a champion pugilist aboard. He ad- 
ded "I was ont of humor about that harness of tlie wheel 
horses, talked pretty rough in the preseine-'f a lady pas- 
senger, and the fellow interfered. I told him to mind 
his own busine.ss when he just walked into me and in less 

than two minutes knocked h 1 out of me. I would 

like to know who he is. I would give three months 
wages for that left hand swing of his." The story of that 
little episode got out among the miners and ranchmen 
and for a long time afterwards this class of men with an 
occasional sporting man would go many miles to hear 
and see the fighting Bishop. 1 have often met Bishop 
Tuttle since our Utah days. He is now the Bishop of the 
diocese of Missouri. 

In Salt Lake City among the Gt^ntile or non-mor- 
m<'n po ulation, I found many men of ability, of large 
experience and successful in their various vocation. Of 
the three judges of the Federal Court, the Chief Justice 
Judge Titus of Pensylvania, was an eminent law^'er and 
a learned jurist of sturdy integrity as were also his two 
associates Drake and McCurdy. Colonel John A. Clark, 
an old lUinoisan whom I had known many years, was the 
Surveyor General, filled the position most acceptably, and 
Attorney Marshall the nephew of the great Tom Marshall 
of Kentucky, and Bankers Hussey and McCornick and Dr. 
Hamilton, a friend and classmate of the late distinguishd 
practitioner. Dr. H. A. Johnson of Chicago, whose wife 
(Mrs. Hamilton) was an Illinois girl and the organist of 
the Episcopal church, whose skill as an organist was of 
a high order; Dr. Anderson, Rev. Mr. Haskins, the able 
assistant of Rector Foote in the Episcopal church; Mr. 
George Scott, a gentleman of culture and a successful 
merchant; the Walker Brothers, bankers, wholesale mer- 
chants and extensive mining operators, and formerly of 



132 

the Mormon faith; Theodore Tracy, manager of the ex- 
press and banking business of Wells and Fargo, and 
njany of the officers of the United States army stationed 
at Camp Douglas near the city, who always treated us 
with marked courtesy. Outside of Salt Lake (Mty, in 
such large towns as Ogden, Brigham City, Provo and 
Echo City, but few Gentiles were found, and very few in 
any part of the territory engaged in farming and manu- 
facturing. Of late years Ogden and Echo City, located 
on the Union Pacitic railroad, have attracted non-Mor- 
mon merchants, professional men and men of other vo- 
cations. 

There came to Salt Lake City in the summer of 
1867 Colonel Alex K. McClure, of Chambersburg, Pa., 
who was accompanied by his wife and daughter. He 
was a distinguished lawyer, editor and politician, and 
his object in visiting Utah on his wa}' to San Francisco 
was, as he informed me, to study for himself the problem 
of Mormonism. I was with him much of the time for 
ten days. He was a courteous and most companionable 
gentleman of wide and varied information, a close ob- 
server of men and things, and, as I thought, disposed to 
treat every one with fairness. My wife was with his 
charming wife and daughter much of the time engaged 
in general sightseeing. Colonel McClure afterwards 
made a national reputation as the able editor of the 
"Philadelphia Times," which he has edited for over a 
quarter of a century. It is seldom that I have met in 
my long life a man who impressed me more with his 
true manliness than did the gallant colonel. 

In the month of August, 1867, Gen. G. M. Dodge, 
my old army friend and the engineer in chief of the 
Union Pacific railroad, with his assistant engineer and 
secretary, while making a preliminary survey of the 
route from Cheyenne to Salt Lake City, arrived with his 



133 

party, in which were Gen. John A. Rawlins, my former 
townsman and afterwards Secretary of War under Presi- 
dent Grant, John E. Corwith, a Galena banker, and 
Major Dunn, of theregular army, escorted by a squadron 
of cavalry commanded by Coloiel Mizner, of the United 
States army. The party remained in Salt Lake City 
some ten days, the cavalry being quartered at Camp 
Douglas. The General and his party were the recipients 
of much attention, both from Mormons and Gentiles, 
who vied with each other to do them honor. Gen. Dodge 
had from the first been an earnest advocate for the con- 
struction of this great national highway. After he had 
finished the preliminary survey he was in favor, I un- 
derstood, of running the road from the mouth of Echo 
Canon up Parley Canon, and by a tunnel through the 
Wasatch range to the head of Emigration Canon, and 
thence to Salt Lake City and westward south of Great Salt 
lake, there to connect with the Central Pacific, which 
was then in process of construction from San Francisco. 
This route would have shortened the distance and have 
proved of incalculable advantage to Salt Lake City. But 
other counsels prevailed, and the road from Echo City 
went down Weber Canon to Ogden City, and then in a 
northerly direction to the north end of the lake, where 
it connected with the Central Pacific road. This great 
enterprise was pushed through from Cheyenne across the 
Laramie Plains with incredible rapidity, and by the 
month of May, 1869. was completed. The last spike 
(gold) was driven in, uniting the two roads, with impos- 
ing ceremonies, the 12th day of May. I was invited to 
participate in the ceremonies, but had to leave for Eu- 
rope before that date, which I very much regretted. 

In the early September of that year it became neces- 
sary for me to visit officially my assistant assessors in 
the northern part of the territory, in which lay the great 



134 

valleys of Cache and Bear Lake, where were locjited a 
number of flourishing towns, and which comprises over 
200,000 acres of land, all susceptible of cultivation and 
easily irrigated by the mountain streams. With a good 
span of horses and carriage, a ■comj)anied by my vvife, I 
started on my tour of inspection. At Ogden City we 
were overtaken by Governor Young, ten of the twelve 
apostles of the church, and a large number of elders and 
deacons, in many cases accompanied by one wife, going 
north to make their annual otficial visit to the churches 
in that portion of the territory. There were some tiiirty 
or forty carriages in the pi-ocession, headed by Governor 
Young and Amelia, one of his wives. On the Govern- 
or's cordial invitation we joined the party. I was de- 
sirous to see how these annual visitations were conducted, 
and as their route and mine were the same, I accepted 
his invitation. From Ogden City to about seven miles 
from Willard City we were escorted by a small company 
of mounted militia, who, at a given point, were relieved 
by a similar body and escorted to Willard City. From 
the outskirts of the town a band of music led us to 
the public square. A sumptuous lunch was served in 
one of the public halls, after which all the faithful as- 
sembled in a large church, where addresses were made 
by the Governor and others of the part3^ About the 
middle of the afternoon, escorted by the mounted militia 
of the forenoon, we started for Brigham City, some ten 
miles distant, and when half way were met by the 
mounted militia of that place and escorted into the town, 
when we were again met by a band of music. The vis- 
itors were all assigned to quarters for the night in the 
homes of residents of the town. The evening exercises 
in a large church or tabernacle were interesting, and ad- 
dresses were made by the Governor, Orson Pratt, George 
Q. Cannon and others. As the day was a holiday, every- 



135 

body turned out to meet and greet the visitors and to 
bid them God speed on their departure. 

The program of that first day after leaving Ogden 
€ity was suhstantially carried out for four succeeding 
days, the visitors stopping and holding meetings at 
Logan, Providence, Franklin, St. Charles and Paris in 
Bear Lake Valley and other places, some of the faithful 
having come a score of miles to see the visitors and at- 
tend the meetings. The people I saw looked fairly in- 
telligent, healthy,and were well dressed and well behaved. 
Great preparations were always made, for these annual 
visitations of the officials of the church were highly 
prized by the people and were of great benefit to them 
aside from the religious instruction imj)arted, for much 
practical advice was given and many valuable sugges- 
tions made as to the best methods of cultivating their 
crops and irrigating them, and how best to care for their 
herds of cattle and sheep. I attended but few of their 
meetings, as I had my official duties to look after, but 
learned much of the Mormons as they were in 
their homes in the towns and villages we visited. 
In the spring time Brigham Young, with his apos- 
tles and elders, made a visit to the southern part of 
Utah, similar to, but less imposing than the one I have 
just described. The semi-annual general conferences of 
the church are held in the tabernacle at Salt Lake City 
in the first weeks of April and October. A part of the 
exercises of the general conference are now held in the 
"Temple" recently completed, an elaborate and expen- 
sive church edifice which was over thirty years in 
building. 

In the early autumn of that year, having business 
in the "states" that required my personal attention, I 
started east on one of the Wells and Fargo coaches, and 
had as traveling companions the great actors, Lawrence 



136 

Barrett and John McCullough. They were partners in a 
theatrical enterprize, viz: the leasing of the California 
theater in San Francisco, and were then on their way 
east to secure a suitable corps of actors. I had never met 
either of them before and during the five days we were- 
together in the coach and car I became well acquainted 
with them. In disposition and temperament they were- 
opposites. Barrett was a small, cpiiet, clerical looking; 
man, usually reticent, of keen intellect, of high literary- 
culture and a remarkably interesting talker. McCul- 
lough had a superb athletic physique, a manly and ex- 
pressive face, and was genial and generous to a fault. 
He had fascinating manners, and as a result was a gen- 
eral favorite. 

In after years I often met these men socially and 
otherwise and came to know them well. Barrett drew 
around him the scholar, the professional man, the artist 
and the man of letters at his summer home on the At- 
lantic coast, where he spent his vacations. He had as 
guests men with tastes similar to his own. Among oth- 
ers found at his home occasionally was my old friend 
and pastor, Prof. David Swing, of Chicago. McCullough 
had as companions, in and out of his profession, men- 
like himself, bright, keen-witted, full of bonhommie and 
much given to the enjoyment of the good things of this, 
life. Barrett survived McCullough by many years.. 
McCullough died in the prime of life, when his star was; 
in the zenith. Alas, poor John, he was his own greatest 
enemy. 

The annual muster of the militia of Northern Utah 
was held at Camp Wasatch, near Salt Lake City, in No- 
vember, 1868. Upon the invitation of Gen. Wells; com- 
mander-in-chief of the militia of the territory, I attended 
the drill and review the last day of the encampment. 
The militia numbered about 1,500, about one half being; 



137 

mounted and drilled as cavalry. The troops were well 
officered, well armed, fairly well drilled and evidently 
well disciplined. Gen. Burton, the efficient collector of 
United States revenue for the District of Utah, com- 
manded the brigade of the northern district, then at 
Camp Wasatch, Among the officers and men were a 
number who had seen .service in the iMexicjin war as 
members of the Mormon battalion. 

On a summer day of the last year of my stay in 
Utah, Governor Young invited me to ride with him to 
his dairy farm, some three or four miles south of the 
city, which invitation I accepted. His carriage, a spa- 
cious and substantial one, was drawn by a pair of fine 
large mules. The day was a perfect one and the Govern- 
or was in one of his best moods. On our way to his farm 
we discussed farming and manufacturing, more especially 
the manufacture of woolen cloths for both men's and 
women's wear. He wore clothes of home manufactured 
cloths, as did many other citizens in and out of the 
church. There were several woolen mills in different 
parts of the territory, in all of which he had more or 
less pecuniary interest, f^nd which manufactured almost 
enough fabrics to supply the home demand. 

His dairy farm, a large one for that country, was 
managed by one of his wives, a middle-aged woman, 
who superintended it most successfully. All the milk, 
butter and cheese used by his five or six households 
were obtained from this farm. The large herd of milch 
cows belonging there were Jerseys. A fine lunch was 
served, after which we inspected the creamery, etc., and 
then started back to the city. Something was said in 
connection with the management of the farm that 
brought up the subject of polygamy, which subject I had 
discussed with him before. I began by remarking that 
when I saw the general prosperity of the people of Utah, 



13S 

-and how much had been accoiuplished in the hist twenty 
years and the possibilities of the future, it made me sad 
to think that serious trouble, perhaps in the near future, 
was inevitable on account of the practice of polygamy by 
the people of Utah and sanctioned by the church. 1 said: 
''Governor, you know as well as I do that in these latter 
days all civilized peoples have declared against polygamy 
and in favor of monogamy. It is only the semi-civilized 
or barbarous ones that now practice it. You are here, a 
handful of peoi)le in these remote valleys, with civil- 
ized people all around you and crowding upon you who 
regard the practice of polygamy as a blot on the escutch- 
eon of your fair territory. How long will you be able to 
resist the tide before it overwhelms you ?" He listened 
to me attentively, and with a serious look replied: "My 
friend, you know I hat we are simply obeying a revela- 
tion from God, which we hold as sacred and binding as 
anything in the sacred scriptures: I, too, foresee trouble, 
but if we were to give up polygamy simply because we 
feared trouble, however serious, you would look upon us 
as moral cowards. Therefore, what else can we do?" I 
turned to him and said: "Governor, get another revela- 
tion doing away with the practice." To this he re- 
plied: "Should such a revelation come to us, we would 
obey it with more alacrity than we did the one ordaining 
it. So while the revelation stands we must obey it and 
trust in God to protect us, as he has often done in the 
past." 

He then began to speak of himself, his relations to 
the people of the church of the Latter Day Saints, as 
their spiritual head under God, of his family (then com- 
posed of sixteen wives and fifty-one children). He said . 
"You know how hard I am working to make my people 
what they should be, good Christians and good citizens, 
and how hard I work and pray, day and night, to bring 



139 

up my children, whom I love as much as you do yours, 
in the fear of the Lord." As he was speaking of his chil- 
dren and his love for them tears stood in his eyes. I 
have often been asked: "Do you believe Brigham Young 
was sincere in his belief in the revelation ordainintj 
polygamy?" I have always answered, "Yes, I believe he 
was sincere. 

Over twenty years have elapsed since my conversa- 
tion with Governor Young as given above. The world 
has moved, and Utah is now one of the states of the 
Union, with a constitution prohibiting the practice of 
polygamy. 



CHAPTER IX. 



UNITED STATES CONSUL AT BRUSSELS, 1869-72. 

In the early part of June, 1869, with my wife and 
daughter, I sailed from New York for Liverpool on my 
way to Brussels, Belgium, to fill the position of United 
States Consul at that place. I did not visit Brussels 
while in Europe in 1859, and now saw it for the first 
time. It had a population of less than 200,000, but 
with its suburbs, nearly 250,000. It was well built, hav- 
ing many magnificent buihlings, including the Royal 
palaces, extensive boulevards and public parks. A mile 
and a half from the [)alace, at the end of the grand Ave- 
nue Louise, was the great park of 500 acres, being a 
part of the old forest of Lasigne, which once extended 
from the city to within a few miles from the battlefield 
of Waterloo, twelve miles away. The language spoken 
by the better classes was French, and as pure French as 
that spoken in Paris. The lower classes, especially in 
Northern Belgium, spoke a mixed language called Wal- 
loon. All the official business of the government and 
all the proceedings of parliament were conducted in 
French. 

I found the consulate in charge ot Judge Aaron 
Goodrich of Minnesota, then acting as secretary of the 
United States Legation. The United States Minister 
resident, Henry G. Sanford, who had filled the position 
for eight years, was well known in the diplomatic circles 
of Europe, having been an attache and secretary at 
Paris and other legations for twenty-five years. He had 



141 

the reputation of being one of the besi informed in mat- 
ters of diplomacy of any American representative in 
Europe. He had great wealth and lived in Brussels in 
princely style, and was a favorite in the diplomatic 
corps of that capital and with the government officials 
as well. He was, withal, a fine linguist. He was suc- 
ceeded the next month by J. Russell Jones of Chicago, a 
former Galenian and an intimate friend of Gen. U. S. 
Grant, He took up his residence in Brussels under 
some disadvantages. He did not speak the French lan- 
guage, and being a man of considerable means, but of 
no great wealth, he could not afford to keep up his prede- 
cessor's style of living, As a result the co:ninon people 
looked upon him as a "pauvre Aniericain" compared 
with the outgoing minister, when, in fact, the incoming 
official was the abler of the two, and, in point of admin- 
istrative force, far the superior. 

The civil war in the United States increased the 
amount of Belgium's exportations to that country, be- 
ginning with 100,000 or more Belgian muskets, bought 
for the Union army in 1861-2. The exportation of laces, 
gloves, cloths, iron, plate glass, etc., increased year by 
year, so that when I assumed the duties of consul the 
business of the consulate was one of the largest of any of 
the inland United States consulates in Europe. Nor was 
this increase confined to Brussels, but it extended to the 
United States consulates at Antwerp, Liege, Ghent, 
Charleroi and Namurs. Belgium, with an area of 11,000 
square miles and its population in 1869 of 5,000,000, 
was and is eminently a manufacturing country, and the 
products of its manufactories find their way to all the 
markets of the world. I was formally presented to the 
King and Queen some months after my arrival at Brus- 
sels. The King impressed me as a man of much natural 
ability, broadly educated in English as well as French, 



142 

and shrevvd and practical. He had the reputation of 
being thoroughly Belgian, sincere and indefatigable in 
his efforts to promote the best interests of his kingdom, 
and especially to adopt and carry out measures to benefit 
the masses. Since then his policy has been unchanged, 
and he has done much for "Little Belgium" in planting 
successfully colonies in the Congo region of Western 
Africa. The Queen was dignified, graceful and good 
looking, without being handsome, highly accomplished, 
and liad the reputation of being kind and sympathetic. 
She was an Austrian and a sister-in-law of the unfortu-n- 
ate Prince Maximillian. whose tragic death in Mexico 
brought so much grief to his family and friends, and es- 
pecially to his brave and heroic wife. It is not often 
that a king and queen can reign so long and have the un- 
wavering support of their subjects. It can be said with 
truth that the nation has made great progress in every- 
thing that has marked the advance of civilization in the 
last half of the Nineteenth century under their wise rule. 

Leopold I. of Belgium, when reigning, had as chief 
of his military staff, Baron Bormann, a Saxon, and a 
classmate in the military school of Saxony of Leopold I., 
and who at his death was retained in his former position 
with advanced rank by Leopold II. He was a distin- 
guished army officer, especially as an artillerist, and 
wrote some valuable treatises on that arm of the service. 
The venerable baron was an accomplished linguist and a 
favorite with all Americans who had the good fortune to 
make his acquaintance. He was frequently a guest at 
my house, and all the members of my family, as well as 
myself, were very fond of the genial old general. 

In Brussels we found a large colony of English, 
numbering some 2,000 or more. Among them were a 
number of retired army officers; men of fine attainments, 
wide experience and very companionable. I greatly en- 



143 

joyed and appreciated their soriety. The greater part of 
the colony was composed of families who resided there 
for the purpose of educating their children in the excel- 
lent French and English schools of the place. Not a 
few, however, were people of a moderate income, who 
could live in Brussels comfortably at a much less ex- 
pense than at home. Ordinarily few Americans re- 
sided in Brussels, although there were American chil- 
dren in its schools and convents. 

One thing added much to the pleasure of our resi-^ 
dence in Brussels, and that was the proximity of friends 
in diplomatic life in neighboring countries The United 
States Embassador to France, the Hon. E. B. Washburne, 
was in Paris with his family, only six hours distant by 
railroad. The Hon. Horace Rublee of Wisconsin, au' 
old-time friend, was Minister Resident at Berne, Switzer- 
land. Before the civil war he was for a long time the 
editor of the "Madison Journal," of Wisconsin, the official 
organ of the Republican party. After his return from 
the Swiss mission he became the editor and proprietor of 
the "Milwaukee Sentinel," one of the leading papers of 
the state, and continued so until his death a few years 
ago. He possessed rare ability as an editor, was a 
graceful, forceful and keenly discriminating writer, and 
was sometimes spoken of as the "Horace Greeley" of the 
Northwest. Gen. T. H. Gorham, a retired banker of 
Marshall, Mich., a man of fine attainments, of manly 
bearing and of engaging manners, was the United States 
Minister Resident at The Hague. Herman Kreisraann, 
formerly of Chicago, the United States Consul General at 
Berlin, was in 1861 appointed Secretary of Legation at 
Berlin under United States Minister Norman B. Judd of 
niinois, and after his retirement from the consulate in 
1877 settled in Berlin and became president of the 
board of directors of the surface or Tramway company 



144 

•of Berlin. Gen. Adam Badeau, Gen. Grant's military 
secretary during the civil war, was United States Consul 
General at London, and Gen. Merideth Reed of New 
York, Consul General at Paris. There was naturally a 
good deal of social visiting between these officials, which 
made it pleasant for all. 

One of the first distinguished Americans I met at 
Brussels was United States Senator Zachariab Chandler 
at the residence of Minister Sanford at a dinner party. 
The senator had just come from Washington and it did me 
good to hear him, in his clear and forcible manner, tell 
of political and other events that had just transpired at 
the nation's capital 

In January, 1870, upon the invitation of Embassa- 
dor Washburne, my wife and myself, with some twenty 
other Americans, were presented to the Emperor Napoleon 
III. and the Empress Eugenia at the palace of the Tuil- 
leries. This court ball and reception given by their maj- 
esties, became notable as having been the last one given 
before the downfall of the Empire, six months later. 
Among those presented besides ourselves were Mrs. N. P. 
Banks, Hon. Nicholas Fish, afterwards, United States 
Minister to Switzerland, and wife, and Colonel Wilson 
and wife. Colonel Wilson was a distinguished surgeon 
in the civil war and ex-United States Consul at Antwerp, 
Belgiu n. The representatives of some six or eight otiier 
countries presented some of their countrymen, the Eng- 
lish and Americans being the most numerous. The 
form of presentation was simple. The Emperor passed 
in front of the line of guests accompanied by a repre- 
sentative, wh) presented his countrymen, giving the 
name of each. The Emperor simply bowed without 
speaking. The Empress Eugenia followed some five 
minutes later and the guests were presented to her 
in the same way. Her manner was most gracious, 



145 

and she occasionally stopped and had a few words with 
some of her guests. She had a brief conversation with 
Mrs. Gen. Banks and others of our party. She was con- 
<3eded to be one of the brightest and most beautiful 
ladies of the royal circles of Europe, and had just re- 
turned from Egypt, where she had witnessed the cere- 
monies attending the opening of the Suez canal, and 
wore a magnificent silk dress of a new color called "eau 
du nile." The ladies of our party were all charmed 
with the Empress, and all regarded her as being, as a 
lady of the party expressed it, "just too lovely for any- 
thing. 

In the early summer of 1870 the Hon. Ben Wood, 
ex-member of congress, of New York city, came to Brus- 
sels, accompanied by his wife. He was the editor of the 
^'New York News" and a brother of Fernando Wood, 
the distinguished member of congress and politician of 
that city. He was in Europe for his health, which was 
much impaired by overwork. I found him an exceed- 
ingly companionable man, of large experience and of ex- 
tensive acquaintance with men of affairs in the United 
States. I enjoyed his society during his few weeks' so- 
journ in Brussels. He died soon after his return home. 

Not long after my arrival at Brussels I received a 
call from George Catlin, the great American painter of 
Indian portraits, who, much to my surprise, informed me 
that Brussels was his home and had been for some time. 
I had seen Mr. Catlin just before the Blackhawk war 
of 1832 at the Indian agency at Gratiot's Grove. He was 
a young artist then, just starting out in his work, almost 
a lifelong one, viz: painting the portraits of Indian chiefs 
and scenes in Indian life. Through the good offices of 
the Indian agent. Colonel Gratiot, he succeeded in paint- 
ing the portraits of several of the chiefs of the Winne- 
bagos and Pottawatamies. Before the civil war he had 



146 

succeeded in getting portraits of the chiefs of nearly all 
the Indian tribes in the Northwest whose reservations 
were north of the Ohio and Arkansas rivers, spending 
several years among the Mandan, Blackfeet and other 
tribes on the upper Missouri and Yellowstone rivers. 
When he began his great work he had a rival in the art- 
ist Stanley, who gained a high reputation as a jjortrait 
painter, but who did not have the industry, persistency 
or energ}' of his competitor, Catlin, and failed to achieve 
great success. Mr. Catlin had brought together the fin- 
est of his life work to Philadelphia. His collection was 
offered to the government at Washington, but lack of 
means to purchase at once caused delay. In the mean- 
time, Mr. Catlin was so unfortunate as to get into a seri- 
ous quarrel with his family and friends. In the niidst 
of it he left all, and with a light purse went to Brussels,, 
where he took up his residence. When I called upon 
him he was living in an obscure part of the city, occu- 
pying two small, scantily furnished r)oms. The few 
francs a day, required for his living, were obtained by a 
little work he did, copying some small-sized paintings he 
had representing Indian life, and selling them. When 
I asked him why he did not sell some of his larger 
paintings stored in Philadelphia and live more comfort- 
ably he replied: '"As my collection is the largest and 
best in the world, I do not intend to break into it, and 
will sell it only as a whole, and my price for it is $100,- 
000. I feel sure my government will buy it some day at 
my price. The English government has made me a 
fair offer for it, but I am too much of an American to 
permit my collection to go to England or any other for- 
eign country." I saw a good deal of this distinguished 
artist, who was frequently a guest at my house: He was 
a most intelligent man and an entertaining talker, being 
full of reminiscences connected with Indian life. He 



147 

had lived for years with the Maiidan, Blackfeet and 
other Indian trihes, taking up with their manner of 
living while he was prosecuting his work. He became 
much enamoured with the Mandans, a tribe now almost 
extinct, which lie regarded as the best and noblest tribe 
of Indians in the great West. In the hitter part of his 
working days he sper.t two years on the Amazon river, 
S. A., painting Indian portraits. He died a few years 
after I had left Brussels. Before his death his collection 
was bought by the government of the United States and 
is now on exiiibition in the Smithsonia:i Institution at 
Washington. He wrote several interesting books on In- 
dian life, habits, customs, etc. In him the red man had 
a true friend. 

In the early summer of 1870 the relations between 
Prussia and t^' ranee became strained, and on the lOth of 
July war was declared by France. The news created 
great excitement in Belgium, whose territory abutted on 
both countries. The Belgium government at once de- 
clared its neutrality, although strongly urged to become 
the ally of France. About the first of the month I had 
started for a ten days' tour up the Rhine, with my wife 
and two lady friends. A few days before war was de- 
clared I had leturned to Brussels, leaving my ladies at 
Hombourg, in Germany, Fearing that travel would be 
interdicted via the tihine, I hastily left for Hombourg. 
I found that United States Minister Washburne, who was 
at Baden Baden, 1/ad the day before passed hurriedly 
through Hombourg on his way to his legation at Paris. 
I returned to Brussels with my ladies without inconven- 
ience, but a few days later the lines were closed and all 
travel on the Rhine by steamer or railway was stopped, 
to the great inconvenience of tourists passing from Ger- 
many into France or Belgium, or visa versa. 

About the middle of August Gen. Sheridan of the 



148 

United States army, and his chief of staff, Colonel For- 
syth, came to Brussels on their way to the headquarters 
of the Prussian army, to remain some time as lookers 
on, and not for the purpose of taking part in military 
operations. We were all glad to see them. Their stay 
was so short that many Americans who desired to pay 
their respects to them were unable to do so. Gen. Sher- 
idan promised to return to Brussels in two months and 
he did so, when tlie American colony, which was then 
quite large, had the opportunity of meeting him at an 
evening reception given for him at our apaitnients. 
He was in fine health and spirits, and full of the excit- 
ing experiences of the preceding sixty days spent with 
the victorious Prussian army. He was enthusiastic in 
his praise of that army. 

In August the railway route from Brussels to Col- 
ogne on the Rliine, into Germany, was opened, and tour- 
ists from England and elsewhere could pass through 
into Central Europe without detention or inconvenience, 
consequently Brussels was constantly crowded with trav- 
elers, many of whom were Americans, who, finding 
Paris virtually closed to them, decided to do the next 
best thing, viz: to stay in Brussels. The siege of Paris 
soon followed, when many American tourists chose to 
remain in Brussels until winter, or until the siege was 
raised. 

Early in September the great battle of Sedan was 
fought, which proved more than a "Waterloo" to the 
French. Emperor Napoleon HI. was taken prisoner 
with a large part of his army. The Empress, a few days 
after fled from Paris in disguise and sought refuge in 
Holland. A provisional government was organized in 
Paris, republican in form, which government a few days 
later was formally recognized by Gen. Grant as President 
of the United States. A few days before the battle of 



149 

Sedan, Minister Washburne sent his wife and children 
to Brussels, in order that they might not be compelled to 
suffer the inconveniences of the siege. Many other 
Americans left at the same time. Mr. Washburne re- 
mainfd at his post, and having been ordered to take 
charge of the German interests in Paris, at the request 
of the Prussian government began to send out of Paris 
all German residents of that city, of which there were 
many thousands, to Germany by railroad For a time, 
two trains every day were sent out of Paris filled with 
Germans, who were mostly of the working class. Over 
17,000 were thus transported within a few weeks to Ger- 
many, going via Brussels to Cologne, on the Rhine. 
Many remained in the city, and these, during the long 
siege that followed, had frequently to be fed by the Em- 
bassy, often in a clandestine way. The action of the 
French government in sending out these Germans has 
been criticised, but, with the intense aversion of the 
French populace to people of that nationality, it was 
necessary to do this as a matter of safety to them. 

Many Americans remained in Paris, contrary to the 
wish and advice of ]V[r. Washburne, and in consequence 
suffered many hardships. Ten days after the battle 
of Sedan, with a party of friends, I visited the battle- 
field, going from Brussels nearl}' one hundred miles by 
railway and then ten miles by carriage. The sight was 
a sad one. The villages near the scene of the conflict 
had been destroyed by fire, and the few buildings that 
remained were used as hospitals. The field, an extended 
one, was torn up by improvised rifle pits, and the ground 
in many places was covered with broken guns, parts of 
artillery carriages, etc., all showing the terrific nature of 
the conflict. I had seen the fields after the battles of 
Fort Donelson, Shiloh and Gorinth in the civil war of 
1861-5, but saw nothing to compare with Sedan. The 



150 

battle field was a few miles from the Belgium frontier, 
and that government, during the battle, held a division 
of soldiers just inside the dividing line between F'rance 
and Belgium to prevent titiier army in the contest from 
passing into neutral territory. 

The siege of Paris had the effect <»f filling.- Brussels 
with strangers, many having come from the besieged 
■city. It was estimated that during the fall of 1870 the 
city of Brussels harbored 40,000 strangers. Among them 
were many tourists. I remtmber well a party of Amer- 
ican gentlemen who were often seen together, and like 
many others there were bent on having a "good time." 
They were Hon. John M. Francis, Perry H. Smith, Fred 
Woodbridge, Barney Williams and Frank M. Pixley, 
who were in Brussels with their families and acknowl- 
edged to be the life of the American colony. They were 
ever on the qui vive to devise ways to make the stay of 
their compatriots in the Belgium capital agreeable, and 
in this they were assisted b}' the untiring efforts of the 
courteous and efficient American Minister, J. Russell 
Jones. They were all men distinguished when at home 
in their various vocations. Mr. Francis had been ap- 
pointed by President Grant Minister Resident at Athens, 
•Greece, and was on his way to assume the duties of that 
Legation. He had been the editor and proprietor of the 
^'Troy (N. Y.) Times," for a score of 3^ears, a paper which 
had the largest circulation of any in the state, outside of 
the city of New York. He was a recognized leader in 
the politics of his state. He possessed a keen and well- 
trained intellect, much will force and untiring energy. 
As a discriminating and forcible writer he had few equals 
and at the time of his death, which occurred a few 
years ago, he was regarded as the strongest writer of 
editorials in his state, and was the last of that remarka- 
ble group of editors, of which he was the youngest, mem- 



151 

ber, composed of Horace Greeley, Thurlovv Weed, James 
Oordon Bennett, H. C. Raymond and Parke Goodwin. 
He was appointed by President Garfield, the Minister 
Resident at Lisbon, Portugal, and soon after filled the 
position of United States Embassador at Vienna, Aus- 
tria. His attainments were many and varied. As a 
conversationalist he was fascinating. He was courte- 
ous and of a kindly disposition and popular with all 
classes. Tne acqaain':an3e I made with him at that 
time ripened into intimacy and we were fast friends to 
the end of his life. His wife, whose death preceded his 
by several years, was a lady of many accomj)lishments, 
of rare amiability and a graceful and vigorous writer. 

Perry H. Smith of Chicago, was known to all rail- 
road men, having been for many years the President of 
the Chicago & Northwestern Railway. He started life 
in Wisconsin as a lawyer, was a member of the Wiscon- 
sin legislature, after which he moved to Chicago and 
went into the railroad business with his friend, the Hon. 
W. B. Ogden. His railroad affairs brought him into 
close relations with the millioniire attorney and railroad 
magnate, S. J. Tilden of New York, who later became a 
candidate for the Presidency on the Democratic Ticket. 
Mr. Smith, with his family, spent several years in Europe, 
during which time his children were in school at Brus- 
sels He was known to nearly all American tourists in 
Europe, and his attractive personality and quiet but 
kindly manner, made him a favorite with all. I knew 
him intimately in Chicago during the '70s and '80s. I 
was impressed with his tact and shrewdness in business 
affairs. His clear and conservative judgment led him 
almost invariably to do theri^ht thing at the right time. 
His will force was great, his convictions strong and his 
plans and purposes were persistently executed. 

Frank M. Pixley of San Francisco, a lawyer, poli- 



152 

tician and the editor and proprietor of a newspaper, 
"The Argonaut," was a man of great force of character. 
He was gifted as a vigorous and trenchant writer and a 
fluent and eloquent speaker. He went to California in 
the early '50s, and in time became one of the conspicu- 
ous figures in that state. He filled several positions of 
trust under the Federal government. Always self-con- 
tained, keen-witted, affable and of an amiable disposi- 
tion, he was one of the most companionable of men. 
He died a few years ago and left a large estate. 

The Hon. F'red Woodbridge, ex-member of congress 
for the Vergennes district. Vermont, was a man of ex- 
ceptional ability, both as a lawyer and a representative 
in congress. He had a well-trained mind, large experi- 
ence in public affairs, much practical sense, and was a 
speaker of fluency and force. Dignified, courteous and 
genial, with his fine physique and handsome face, he was 
the cynosure of many eyes. His wife, a daughter of the 
Green Mountain state, was an accomplished lady of rare 
beauty and grace. 

Barney Williams, well known in the United States 
and Great Britain as an actor in comedy, was traveling 
in Euro{)e for the benefit of his health. He was full of 
vivacity, despite his ill health, and his wit, charming 
manner and amiable disposition made him a welcome 
guest wherever he went. Williams died soon after, and 
his wife, who was with him in his travels, was an actress 
of great ability and still lives, but never followed her 
profession after his death. 

For many weeks I was the companion of the five 
talented Americans I have just described. I am the 
only one now living. A little later in the autumn, and 
while Paris was still besieged, many other distinguished 
Americans came to Brussels and sojourned there from a 
few days to as many weeks. Gen. Burnside, the gallant 



153 

and handsome soldier of the civil war, was one of the 
number. He visited Paris and saw the head of the pro- 
visional government, Jules Favre, and then went to the 
headquarters of the Prussian army to confer with Em- 
peror William and Prince Bismarck. I understood that 
these visits were repeated. As a supposed result, a con- 
ference was held between the commanders of the con- 
lending forces and terms of peace were discussed. Bis- 
marck's ultimatum was that Prussia should hold the 
provinces of Alsace and Lorraine without regard to 
its indemnity. The French refused peremptorily, pre- 
ferring to fight it out to the end. 

Gen. Hazen, of the United States army, was a vis- 
itor at Brussels during the fall. He was a popular offi- 
cer, who served in the civil war and won distinction for 
bravery and efficiency. He was the object of much at- 
tention from the American colony during his brief so- 
journ there. Gen. Dan. Butterfield and family were 
also at Brussels for some weeks. He, like Gen. Hazen, 
made a fine reputation in the civil war, serving in 
the Army of the Potomac." Judge P. H. Morgan of 
New Orleans, a distinguished lawyer and jurist, had his 
residence in Brussels while his children were in school 
there. We became intimate with the framily during 
their stay in Brussels. The judge divided his time be- 
tween Brussels and New Orleans. He was a Union man 
during the war, and Gen. Grant, before the close of his 
second administration, appointed him the American 
member of the Tribunal or Court of Cairo, Egypt, for 
the trial of civil matters. Judge Morgan was a striking 
figure on the streets of Brussels. He had a splendid 
physique, was over six feet tall, erect, and weighed over 
200 pounds, with a flowing beard and a handsome face. 
He was usually reticent, but courteous and of a kind 
disposition. 



154 

And there came to Brussels, also, Mr. Montgomery 
■Gibbs, formerly a well-known New York lawyer, and his 
wife. He had held some diplomatic and afterwards 
some financial position on the continent, and was well 
known in all the diplomatic and financial circles of 
Europe and Great Britain. The well-known jurist, the 
Hon. Hugh T. Dickey of Chicago, and family were for 
some time in Brussels, and were prominent members of 
the American colony. Gen. Ledlie, an artillerist in the 
civil war and a well-known engineer and bridge builder 
of Chicago, and his wife passed several weeks there. Mr. 
and Mrs. George M. Pullman and Mr. and Mrs. Potter 
Palmer were there for a few days only. Mr. Palmer, 
who was planning to build a large hotel in Chicago, was 
making a tour of Euroi)e with his architect, studying 
the architecture of the hotels of the European capitals 
with the object of utilizing the information obtained in 
the construction of his projected Chicago hotel. So 
crowded were the hotels in Brussels that he and his wife 
were compelled to occupy a 7x9 room in a second class 
hotel. 

Another prominent Chicago man, the Hon. J. B. 
Rice, ex-ma3^or of Chicago, with his w4fe and two young 
lady daughters came to Brussels to spend some months. 
I knew Mr. Rice by reputation but had never met him. 
During the fall of 1870 I saw Mr. Rice at the consulate 
nearly every day and our families became intimately 
acquainted. Mr. Rice was a man of quiet manner, in- 
clined to be reticent, of wide and varied information, and 
of large experience in public affaiis, having served as a 
member of congress, and as mayor of the city of Chicago. 
He was a successful man of business, and when in the 
mood was an interesting talker. As the mayor of the city of 
Chicago he made a reputation as a clear headed, ener- 
getic, efficient and honest official. I became well ac- 



155 



quainted with him at Brussels, met him often in after 
years at Chicago and seldom in my life have I known a 
man who impressed me so thoroughly with his sturdy 
manlhiess as he. His wife and accomplished and 
vivacious daughters did much during their residence in 
Brussels in conjunction with Mrs. P. H. Smith of Chi- 
cago, and Mrs. W. H. Ryder, of New York, to infuse life 
into the American colony, especially among its ladies. 
During the fall and early winter of 1870, Admiral Glis- 
son, commander of the Mediteranian fleet had his flag- 
ship with other war ships of the fleet at the Port of Ant- 
werp. He, as well as other officers of his fleet were fre- 
quent visitors at Brussels and were always well received 
by the American colony. 

In the late autumn of 1870 I made the acquaintance 
at Brussels of Gen. Cluseret, sometimes called the "soldier 
of fortune," whose military career was singularly event- 
ful and romantic. Born in Prance an 1 educated in the 
national military school at St. Cyr, he served in the army 
with distinction and was made a chevalier of the Legion 
of Honor. He left the army for political reasons and 
opened a painters studio in Paris. He re-entered the 
army and served in Algeria, and was in the Crimenian 
war. After leaving the army again, he joined Garabaldi 
in Italy. He came to the United States in early 1862 
and served as an aide on General McClellan's staff with 
the rank of colonel; was assigned to Gen. Fremont, who 
gave him a command in the cavalry corps, and was soon 
after brevetted a brigadier general. He left the Union 
army and located in New York city, where he star-ted a 
newspaper advocating the claims of Gen. Fremont for the 
Presidency. He returned to France, established a news- 
paper, and was imprisoned for violently attacking the 
government. He escaped and left France. After the 
fall of the empire he returned to Paris and joined the 



156 

Commune and became its minister of war. He was soon 
after arrested, escaped to England and finally settled in 
Switzerland. I met'him in Brussels when he was on his 
way to join the Commune. He did not have the appear- 
ance of the "dashing and fearless" soldier, but more 
that of a man in one of the professions, clerical or legal, 
and in manner was courteous, modest and affable. He 
was an able writer and the author of several works of a 
military and political character. 

During the winter of 1870-71 1 received a call at the 
consulate from Mrs. Merriman, of New York city, whose 
acquaintance I had made in Washington, D. C, soon 
after the war. She was a lady of rare personal charms 
and highly accomplished, and had just returned from 
Italy where she was associated with other American and 
English ladies in carrying out a scheme to found several 
schools of a high grade for the education of young ladies. 
She said they had received encouragement in London and 
Paris, both in sympathy and material aio, and would 
certainly make the enteri)rise a success. A few years 
later she was married to the eloquent priest of Notre 
Dame, Paris, Pere Hyacinth, (afterwards the Rev. Mr, 
Loyson.) Mr. Loyson visited Chicago with his wife in 
the early 80's on a religious mission connected with his 
pastoral work in Paris. He was met by a number of 
prominent ladies and gentlemen of Chicago at my house, 
where a meeting was held at which he explained the ob- 
ject of his mission, and gave some account of the work in 
which he was engaged. 

There came to Brussels about this time an old friend 
in the person of the Rev. S. G. Spees, who succeeded the 
Rev. Mr. Kent in the pastorate of the First Presbyterian 
church at Galena, 111., about 1850. He was making a 
tour in Great Britian and Central Europe for the benefit 
of his health and incidentally, to examine the methods 



157 



of instruction in the colleges and universities of those 
■countries, to utilize in a college projected by himself and 
his friends at Cedar Falls, la., which place had been his 
home for some years. Dr. Specs was well known in the 
entire Northwest, and had the reputation of being a 
clergyman of marked ability as a sermonizer, energetic, 
zealous, and devoted to the interests of his work as a 
Christian minister. He was prominent in educational 
circles, and what is not usual in men of his profession, 
was shrewd and discriminating in business affairs. 

Soon after the fall of the empire and Paris had been 
besieged the method of sending letters of light weight out 
of Paris by means of balloons was begun. Balloons were 
sent out semi-weekly in a northernly direction, carrying 
300 to 500 pounds of mail matter, almost exclusively let- 
ters, weighing one-eighth of an ounce. There was more dif- 
ficulty in getting letters into Paris than in getting them 
out. Minister Washburne kept a full journal of everything 
that transpired in Paris, and as a matter of safety, had 
his journal once a week press copied, on very light paper 
and the copy sent to his wife by balloon to Brussels, 
which, after having read she would forward to Gen. C. C. 
Washburn, then Governor of the state of Wisconsin. I 
had the privilege often of reading the journal while in 
the hands of Mrs. Washburne at Brussels. 

The latter part of January, 1871, after an armistice 
of several days, terms of capitulation were agreed upon 
and 30,000 Prussian troops entered the city of Paris, 
bivouacked on the Champs Elysee for two days, and then 
returned to their camps outside of the city limits. The 
siege of Paris continued for 132 days. The provisional 
government moved from Bordeaux, where it had been 
located since its organization, to Versailles, ten miles 
from Paris. 

That portion of the people in Paris who had been 



15S 

di.s-atisfied vviih the at-tion of the government for sur- 
rendering to the Prussians, and composed mostly of the 
middle and lower classes, led by unscrupulous politi- 
cinns, organized a government in Paris and called it The 
Commune. It openly opposed and defied the govern- 
ment at Versailles, In a short time it was able to mus- 
ter nearly 100,000 troops, and a terrible and bloody con- 
flict began which lasted two months. The Provisional 
government was compelled to lay siege to Paris. During 
the first siege of Paris all the representatives of foreign 
countries had one after the other left and were mostly at 
Tours, their legations having been left in charge of sub- 
ordinates, the exceptions being the American minister, 
Mr. Washburne, and the Swiss minister. Dr. Freye, who 
remained at their posts discharging their ofKcial duties 
through both sieges. 

About the middle of March I went to Paris to pay a 
frieni.ly visit to my old friend, Minister Washburne. 
The Commune was in full blast, and Paris was being 
bombarded by the French troops from Mt. Valerian and 
other points on the south side of the river Seine. On 
the afternoon of the second day of my visit I witnessed 
the terrible fusilade on the Rue de la Paix near the Place 
Vfudome. While standing on the sidewalk in front of 
the banking house of Bowles Brothers on Rue de la Paix, 
I saw some 2,000 or more civilians, all unarmed, evidently 
belonging to the better class of citizens, pass down the 
street en masse to the Place Vendome, where a body of 
Commune troops were stationed. One company had 
been placed across the street at the entrance to Place 
Vendome. The crowd, apparently a good-natured one, 
on arriving where the troops were stationed, began to ex- 
postulate with them for their conduct in joining the 
Commune, and entreated them to lay down their arms. 
In a few minutes shots were tired above the heads of the 



159 

crowd, and soon after a full volley v/as fired directly into 
it with frightful effect. I was standing about one hun- 
dred yards from the troops and in the line of their fire. 
A Belgium engineer was shot down at my side. The 
crowd dispersed rapidly. I stepped into the doorway of 
the Hotel Holland, and going to the second btory, looked 
out and saw ten dead bodies on the deserted street. The 
excitement in the central part of the city, as a result, 
was intense. Shops were closed and all traffic was sus- 
pended. I decided to leave Paris for Brussels by the 
evening railroad train. Towards evening Mr. Washburne 
took me in his carriage from the legation, near the Arch 
of Triumph, through the heart of the city to the Bel- 
gium railroad station in the northern part of the city. 
In passing along the boulevards from the Place de la 
Concorde to the Bastile we were halted several times by 
troops placed across the boulevard. The officer in com- 
mand, on coming to the carriage door, was saluted by Mr. 
Washburne, who simply said "le Ministre Americain," 
when the ranks would at once be opened and his car- 
riage allowed to pass. 

Some four weeks later I had official busin(ss which 
required my presence in Paris. As before, I was permit- 
to enter Paris on my official papers. I found the Com- 
mune still vigorously opposing the government troops,, 
but it had lost ground, and the Versailles army (so 
called) was very near the city, and the city was being 
badly injured by its artillery, especially on its southern 
and western sides. On the second day of my stay I ac- 
companied Mr. Washburne in his carriage to the Troce- 
dore, some distance down the Seine, to vAdtness the effect 
of shells sent occasionally from Mt. Vadrian. We left 
our carriage near the Seine and walked to the top of the 
hill. While waiting to see a shell explode, one fell and 
exploded less than 200 yards from where we stood. I 



160 

was very much interested, but Mr. Washburne suggested 
in a very emphatic manner that we leave at once, which 
we did and returned to the legation. 

The next day I accompanied him in his carriage to 
Versailles, where he often went to meet the officers of the 
Provisional government. I had the pleasure of meeting 
Mon. Thiers, soon after the President of the Republic of 
Prance, and Mon. Jules Favre, afterwards Minister of 
Foreign Affairs under President Theirs. A few days 
later the Commune, or insurgents, pulled down the beau- 
tiful historical monument known as the "Napoleon col- 
umn," in Place Vendome, out of sheer vandalism, A 
few weeks later the Versailles army succeeded in driving 
the "Communards," or insurgents, into the heart of Paris 
and compelled a surrender, but, before surrendering, the 
"vandels" set fire to and destroyed a number of public 
buildings, including the Palace of the Tuilleries and the 
Hotel de Ville. 

In the latter part of the winter of 1871, my only 
son, Arthur, who had joined me at Brussels in the au- 
tumn of 1868, returned to the United States. After hav- 
ing graduated at the University of Wisconsin he went to 
Brussels and entered the "Universitie Libre" of that city, 
and took a course in the sciences. He passed his exam- 
ination in the summer of 1870 and received a diploma 
as Bach<^lor of Sciences. In the autumn he was ap- 
pointed and served for some months as bearer of dis- 
patches for I he United States from London to the United 
States legations at Paris and Berlin. He studied law 
after his return to the United States, practiced his pro- 
fession in Chicago for nearly twenty years, when he was 
elected one of the judges of the superior court of Chi- 
cago. He has just been re-elected to serve a term of six 
years. 

During the two months reign of the Commune in 



161 

Paris, many thousands of its people left that city, a large 
.portion of whom came to Brussels so that Belgium's capi- 
tal was again filled with strangers. During the spring 
and summer of 1871 many distinguished Americans so- 
journed there, and our American colony which had suf- 
fered depletion after the close of the Franco-Prussian war 
received many accessions. Among others who came was 
■G. W. Fishback, of St. Louis, the editor of the "St. Louis 
Republican" and his family. He was a quiet man, of 
amiable disposition and kindly manner, of eminent good 
sense, who won the respect and esteem of all who came 
in contact with him. Gen. J. H, Wilson, the famous 
Union commander of cavalry in the arni}^ of the Tennes- 
see during the Civil war was also in Brussels for some 
•days. 

About this time there came also Mrs. Colonel Mulli- 
gan, of Chicago, the widow of Colonel James A. Mulligan, 
who, in the early part of the civil war, won so much re- 
nown for his heroic defense of Lexington, Mo. His name 
is the synonim of all that is patriotic, brave and gallant 
in the American soldier. Aside from being a great 
soldier and an able law3^er, he was exceptionally gifted 
as a graceful and forcibl-e writer and an eloquent speaker. 
Mrs. Mulligan had her three little daughters with her, 
for whom she was trying to find some suitable French 
school. She is one of the best known ladies in Chicago, 
of much grace and charm of manner, and of 
rare intelligence. She had the compliment paid her of 
being ap^)ointed by the President, United States pension 
agent at Chicago, which position she filled for four years 
with marked ability. Her three amiable and accom- 
plished daughters now live in Chicago, and are well 
known in its societ}' circles. 

The latter part of the summer of 1871 two distin- 
guished citizens of Chicago visited Brussels viz. Judge 

K 



162 

Drummond of the United States District Couit,and James 
Carter; formerly a banker with whom I transacted busi- 
ness in Galena in the 50's, and before he moved to Chi- 
cago, where he lived twenty years before his death. He 
was born in Scotland and educated there. In the 40's 
he came to the United States with his friends, George- 
Smith and Alex. Mitchell, all intending to engage in the 
banking business. Smith located in Chicago, Mitchell 
in Wilwaukee, and Carter in Galena. They were all suc- 
cessful bankers. Smith and Mitchell became the most 
prominent bankers in the northwest. 

Soon after, the Americans at Brussels were gratified 
to have among them ex-Governor Reuben E. Fenton, of 
New York, who had just been elected to the United 
States senate to succeed the distinguished statesman, 
Hon. E. D. Morgan, and the Hon. Lyman Tremain^ 
former judge, a lawyer of distinction, ex-United States 
Attorney General of New York, and ex member of con- 
gress. Upon the invitation of these gentlemen I spent a 
day with them at Antwerp visiting the collections of 
paintings, sculpture, etc. Both were genial and affable and 
charming conversationalists, being full of reminiscences 
and anecdote. The day to me was a most enjoyable one, 
and will never be forgotten. 

About this time I was called upon at the consulate 
by Gen. Henry Wilson, United States Senator and Vice- 
President of the United States during Gen. Grant's second 
administration as President. He came in hurriedly, to 
make inquiries as how he could best visit the battlefield 
of Waterloo. I replied that I would accompany him,, 
and induced him to stay and take breakfast with my 
family. After breakfast we took a carriage for the bat- 
tlefield twelve miles distant. We reached there in good 
time and were enabled to go over the field with a guide 
before luncheon. He was deeply interested and seemed 



163 

to enjoy every moment. This distinguished Americnn 
statesman, for whom I always had ijjreat admiration, and 
who I had met in Washington after the war, was in fine 
health and s[)irits, and during our ride he was atfiible 
and talked freely, and gave me much inside information 
with regard to war operations on the Potomac, gained by 
him as the chairman of the Senate committee of military 
affairs. On our return to Brussels he paid his respects to 
the United States Minister, J. Russell Jones, and then 
ascertained that preparations had been made to have 
him dine at the Legation, the dinner to be followed by 
an informal reception. To the sore disa|)pointment of 
the Minister and many Americans who desired to meet 
him, Gen. Wilson informed the Minister that he would 
have to leave for London at 6 o'clock that evening to 
meet an engagement there the next morning. 

Not long after the close of the Franco German war 
I met at Brussels and had some conversation with an in- 
telligent German officer who had served in the war as a 
i^olonel of cavalry. While speaking of the amount of 
indemnity demanded, I remarked th^t Prince Bismarck, 
whom I regarded as without a peer in Europe as a states- 
man and diplomat, had made a grave mistake in retain- 
ing the provinces of Alsace and Lorraine. The French 
government would and could have paid more indemnity, 
but the wresting from it of these provinces was regarded 
by the French as a wrong never to be forgiven. Had 
Bismarck not insisted on this ultimatum after the battle 
of Sedan, terms of capitulation could have been agreed 
upon, and the war have ended satisfactorily to the Prus- 
sians and have saved the French the fearful loss of lives 
and property through the insane actions of the Commune, 
and the Prussians a long campaign before the capitula- 
tion of Paris. The French nation has taken a vow to 
again possess the provinces coute qui coute. The colonel 



164 

replied that lie thought I was mistaken and that the 
Prince had acted wisely. 

Since the close of the war the French government 
has expended many millions in mone}', fortifying its 
eastern border from Belgium to the Jura. The Prussian 
government has been compelied to do the same on the 
Rhine from the Belgium border to Switzerland. The 
French army has been increased from year to year, and 
the Prussian army has also been increased, and now, 
when the Czar of Russia suggests to all the powers in 
Europe that an agreement be entered into looking to the 
gradual reduction of all standing armies, Prussia con- 
sents or rather favors the suggestion, but France says no, 
not until Alsace and Lorraine have been won back. 

In the middle of the forenoon of October, 10, 1871, 
the newspapers of Brussels, in extras, gave the startling 
intelligence that Chicago was burning, that ten blocks 
in the heart of the city were totally destroyed, and the 
loss was $100,000,000 and many lives lost. By evening 
it was stated that the burnt district was two and a half 
miles long and one mile wide, covering the entire central 
{)ortion of the city, the total loss estimated to be $200.- 
000,000, and that all the fire insurance companies had 
failed. The excitement in Brussels was intense, especial- 
ly among the Americans. Within the next ten days 
meetings of sympathizers were held in London, Man- 
chester, Liverpool, Berlin, Paris and Brussels and large 
sums of money were subscribed for the relief of the 
sufferers. London alone subscribed $100,000. I had 
many friends in Chicago whom I knew were among the 
sufferers. Most of my moneyed interest in Chicago was 
stock in the West Division Street railway, which had suf- 
fered very little. Later in the month news came of wide- 
spread and destructive fires in the pine districts of Wis- 
consin, and the loss estimated at $100,000,000 and thous- 



165 

ands of lives lost. Moreover, news came that there was 
a panic in the stock market of New York. Judge Drum- 
mond of Chicago, who was in Brussels, immediately left 
for home. By the first of December telegrams were re- 
ceived stating that Chicago was being rapidly rebuilt, 
which greatly surprised the slower moving people of 
Brussels. 

The following winter was a quiet one in Brussels, a 
natural reaction after a year and a half of busine-ss and 
social activity caused by the late Franco-Prussian war. 
OurAmerian colony was greatly lessened, yet the at- 
tractiveness of this beautiful city, sometimes called "Le 
petit Paris," induced many American tourists to prolong 
their stay after reaching it. Its attractions to the visitor, 
especially in works of art, were great. 

Among some of the last Americans who came to 
Brussels was the well-known school book publisher of 
New York city, Albert 8. Barnes, with his wife and a 
party of friends. They took apartments and remained 
in the city some time. Mr. Barnes was a man of wide 
culture, first-class business talent and of quiet and charm- 
ing manner. Mrs. Barnes possessed rare personal and 
mental charms and great amiability of disposition. They 
soon became favorites in the colony. The acquaintance 
then formed ripened into friendship, which continued 
between the families for many years after their return to 
the United States. Soon after we took up our residence 
in Chicago we made the acquaintance of Charles J. 
Barnes and family, who have been and are still well 
known in its social circles. Mr. Barnes has been 
the manager of the Western department of the publish- 
ing house of A. S. Barnes & Co., of New York. He has 
managed the extensive business of his company with 
rare skill, discrimination and success. He is a gentle- 
man of attractive personality, of a frank and genial dis- 
position, and cordial and generous as a host. 



166 

Soon after I assumed my duties of consul at Brus- 
sels I made the aeqtiaintance of Mr. Eugene Verboeck- 
boven. tbe celebrated painter of sheep and cattle, who 
had achieved a wurld-wide reputation. He bad tben 
been a painter, and in his early career a sculptor, for 
over forty years. He was genial and affal)le, and I fre- 
quently spent an hour witii him in his great studio, 
wbicb was filled with specimens of his work in j)ainting 
and sculpture running through all these years. He was 
a bard and rapid worker, but tbe demand for liis work 
was so great tbat be was at times a year behind in exe- 
cuting orders. His greatest success was in j>ainting 
sbeep in an enclosure or stable, or with a land- 
scape about them. In ibe latter case, I once commented 
on the whiteness of bis sbeep in tbe landscape. He re- 
plied that long before be had spent one summer in Scot- 
land, making studies of sheep on its heathery hills, and 
on these bills tbe fleece of the sheep is whiter, i. e., clean- 
er than elsewhere. I met him often at tbe banquets 
given by the artists' guild of Brussels, and as tb.^ senior 
in age and being the most distinguished artist, be was 
always tbe central figure and had the seat of Ijonor. 

About tbe first of January, 1872, I sent my resigna- 
tion as United States Consul to tbe Department of State 
at Washington, to take effect the 1st of April, or as soon 
thereafter as my successor could be appointed and quali- 
fied. My three years' service in Brussels was in ever}' 
way agreeable, but, as the object I bad in view in accept- 
ing a consular appointment, which was to give my 
daughter the opportunity to learn the French language 
and to gratify m}'' wife's desire to spend some time in 
Euro})e. was accomplished, I felt a strong inclination to 
return to an active business life, and decided to go to 
Chicago, the place to which, of all others in the United 
States, I felt the most drawn. My successor in the Brus- 



167 

sels consulate was Colonel John Wilson, a distinguished 
army surgeon during the civil war, who has served as 
Consul at Antwerp for three ^^ears and who was in every 
way admirably fitted to fill the position. 

I left Brussels with some regret, for my family, as 
■well as myself, had formed many pleasant acquaintances, 
not only among the Americans residing there, but also 
English and Belgium residents. I visited Brussels again 
in 1887, and found the city greatly improved and its 
population, like that of all the other large cities of Eu- 
rope, greatly increased. After taking my wife and 
daughter on a tour through Germany, I left Brussels the 
€arly part of April, and, after a week spent in London, 
reached Chicago the latter part of the month. 



CHAPTER X. 



CHICAGO AFTER THE GREflT flRE Of 1871, 

On the 25th of April, 1872, I arrived at Chicago 
from Europe, where I expected to locate and engage irn 
business. My wife and daughter accompanied me, andi 
we were the welcomed guests of friends living on the 
South side, whom we had known in Europe. The next 
day, u})on the invitation of a friend, I rode over the 
burned district. The sight was one of the saddest I hadi 
ever witnessed. I had no adequate idea or conception! 
of the extent nor the completeness of the destruction; 
caused by the terrific fire, which had no parallel in the 
world's history. The scene was simply appalling. I 
found great activity in the central or business part of the 
city. To my great surprise, I saw on Wabash avenue? 
and State street immense buildings, temporarily con- 
structed, filled with all kinds of merchandise and aii 
active business being done, and on other streets many 
large and expensive buildings in process of construction. 
The people I met were all bus}'^ and hopeful, and not im 
the least cast down by the terrible disaster of the autumn 
before. The offices of professional and real estate men„ 
as well as those of the banks, were in buildings on the 
West and South sides, just outside of the burnt district- 
Some few were in improvised buildings in the central 
part of the city. Ten years later, when looking at the^ 
rebuilt district, with its magnificent structures, which in 
point of stability and beauty of architecture surpassed 



169 

in every respect the buildings which stood there before 
the fire, I said: "Verily, the great fire was a blessing in 
disguise to this people." My family, as well as myself, 
did not feel like strangers in that city of 300,000 inhab- 
itants. We met everywhere and were cordially welcomed 
by men and women we had known in other parts of the 
state years before, and many delightful people whose ac- 
quaintance we had made during our stay in Europe. 

In the summer of 1872 I organized the Home Na- 
tional Bank, intending it to be a West side banking in- 
stitution. Its paid up capital was $250,000, and I secured 
for directors a few capitalists and the rest manufacturers 
living in the West division of the city. I was elected 
president of the board of directors and opened the bank, 
on Washington and Halsted streets, the center of the 
business district of the West side. Soon afterwards I 
was appointed a member of the board of education, a 
member of the board of management of the Chicago 
Atheeneam, a member of the board of directors of the 
Chicago Stock Exchange, one of the executive commit- 
tee of the Citizens' Association, and also on the board of 
management of a benevolent organization. I soon began 
to realize that I was doing a great deal of work for the 
public, leaving me but little time to attend to my own 
personal affairs. 

Some two or three years after I had located in Chi- 
cago a movement was made by leading citizens to con- 
struct a large building on the lake front, to be used for 
holding annual exhibitions of farm products and manu- 
factured articles, including works of art. It was to be 
known as the Interstate Exposition building. I favored 
the project heartily, feeling that if there was a place in 
the United States favorably located for such exhibitions, 
it was Chicago, situated in the geographical center of the 
best part of the continent of North America, very ac- 



170 

cessible by railroad and by water from all [loints and 
having about it, within a radius of 500 miles, more fer- 
tile lands than any other large city in the world. The 
project met with general favor. The building, inexpen- 
sive, but convenient and comfortable, covering an area of 
250 by 800 feet, with s^»acious galleries, was erected. For 
nearly a score of vears extensive exhibitions were held 
annually, which without interfering with state or county 
fairs in the Northwest, met a want long and generally 
felt. There is no question that Chicago was greatly' 
benefitted by these annual exhibitions, which lasted 
from thirty to lorty days. The building was removed a 
few years ago, and I am gratified to know that promi- 
nent capitalists and business men are planning to erect, 
in the near future, a larger and more substantial build- 
ing for the same general purpose. Another movement 
on the part of far-sighted and enterprising citizens was 
the securing of land for a system of extensive parks and 
boulevards. It has taken many years to carry out so 
far the plans adopted, which when completed will give 
Chicago more extensive parks and boulevards than any 
other city in the world. 

In the early spring of 1874 a few old-time abolition- 
ists of Chicago planned to hold a national reunion of old 
abolitionists at Chicago. The project met with a hearty 
response from all parts of the country, and the 10th day 
of the following June was fixed upon as the time for 
holding the reunion, which was to last three days. Allan 
Pinkerton, R. B. Derrickson and other well-known citi- 
zens of Chicago, were the executive committee and 
Zebina Eastman, the editor of "The Tree of Liberty" 
and the "Daily News" in Chicago in 1845 6, was secre- 
tary. The sessions were held in the Second Baptist, the 
Second Congregational and the Park Congregational 
churches, one dav's session in each church. Vice Presi- 



171 

dent Heury Wilson of Massachusetts, had promised to 
attend the reunion and act as president. I was chosen 
as first vice president, Hon. J. B. Grinnell, M. C, of Iowa, 
as second, and the Hon. James Birney of Michigan, as 
third vice [(resident. Mr. Birney was the son of the dis- 
tinguished statesman and early abolitionist, the Hon. 
Janjes B. Birney of Kentucky, for a long time the earn- 
est and able advocate of gradual emanci})ation in his 
own state and the founder of and a j)rominent lender in 
the American Anti-Slavery society. James Birney was 
appointed in 1876,- by President Grant, United States 
Minister Resident at The Hague. At the first day's ses- 
sion Governor Beveridge of Illinois, delivered the ad- 
dress of welcome, and I responded in behalf of the meet- 
ing in the absence of Vice President Wilson, who, at the 
last hour, was prevented from coming to Chicago by 
serious illness in his family. The secretary of the execu- 
tive committee, Mr. Eastman, read an interesting paper 
on the martyrdom of the Rev. E. P. Lovejoy at Alton. 
111., in 1837. Mrs. Jane G. Swisshelm, a well-known 
writer and lecturer, and for many years the editor of the 
"Saturday Visitor," published at Pittsburgh, Pa., deliv- 
ered an exceedingly able address. The second day the 
meetings, morning, afternoon and evening, were addressed 
by the Rev. Dr. W. H. Brisbane, an old-time abolitionist, 
writer and lecturer; Mrs. Harper, a highly educated 
colored woman of Philadelphia; President Blanchard of 
Wheaton College, 111.; Joseph W. Alden, editor of "The 
Emancipator," and the Hon. Joseph Gillette. The third 
day a valuable historical paper was read by the Rev. Mr. 
Goodell of Janesville, Wis., giving the history of the rise 
and fall of slavery in the United States. The afternoon 
of the third day was given to listening to personal ex- 
periences in the days when the "underground railroad" 
was in active operation, The desire to speak by persons 



172 

in attendance was so great that the time was limited by 
vote to ten minutes for each speaker, and for the last 
hour it was limited to five minutes, and finally, when, 
the gavel fell and the announcement was made of the 
adjournment of the reunion sine die, it was agreed that 
the session be continued informally to permit persons de- 
siring to speak to do so. 

This gathering or reunion was composed of men 
and women from all parts of the country (not a few- 
being Quakers from Ohio, Pennsylvania and Kentucky), 
most of whom were already well advanced in life, and 
who, for more than a score of years previous to the civil 
war, had wrought heroically, impelled by honest convic- 
tions, to abolish a detested system of human slavery and 
to aid all in bondage and seeking freedom to gain it. 
When, finally, the civil war had secured for the slave 
this long sought liberty they had met to praise God and 
tell what they had done and suffered toward furthering 
this grand result. The proceedings of this reunion had 
been kept for the purpose of having them published in 
book form, in compliance with the wishes of its members. 
Soon after the close of the reunion, however, by an acci- 
dent, all the records, which were regarded as historically 
valuable, were destroyed. I have, therefore, in the fore- 
going pages, tried to give from notes I made at the time 
a full synopsis of the proceedings of that remarkable 
gathering. Many letters of regret were received from 
distinguished citizens from all over the country, among 
others, one of great interest from the Hon. Charles Fran- 
cis Adams of Massachusetts. 

In the summer of 1873, accompanied by my wife, I 
visited California, going directly to San Francisco. This 
was my first visit to that great state, which had been so 
full of interest to me since the early '50s, when I came 
near joining a party of friends who were going there 



173 

•overland. I was impressed not only with the beaut}' and 
grandeur of the scenery, but also with the wonderful 
productiveness of its soil, its great mineral wealth and 
the wonderful salubrity of its climate, making it one of 
the grandest states in the Union. Five years ago I spent 
a winter in California, making Los Angeles my home. 
I had many years before spent a winter in Italy, and I 
am fully convinced that Southern California has a cli- 
mate far superior to that of Italy, especially for people 
with weak lungs or who need "building up." The pro- 
ductiveness of the soil of Southern California ahnost 
surpasses belief. Three crops are easily obtained from 
the same land in one year. This vast state, 700 miles in 
length and susceptible of supporting a dense population, 
is divided at about 250 miles from its southern bound- 
ary by the Mohave range of mountains, and will at some 
future day, I feel sure, be divided into two states, Upper 
and Lower California. Los Angeles, almost in the geo- 
graphical center of the lower half, would naturally be its 
capital. It is a city already of nearly 100,000 inhabi- 
tants and growing in population faster than any other 
city in the state. Twenty-five years hence its popula- 
tion will reach nearly a quarter of a million and in time 
may become the rival of San Francisco in this respect. 

In 1893, during a five months stay in Los Angeles, I 
became well acquainted with Mrs. Gen. Fremont, ne 
Jessie Benton, who had been a resident of the place for 
several years. She was living in a delightful part of the 
city in a beautiful cottage surrounded by orange trees, 
the gift of a number of the citizens of the place who had 
known her husband after the Mexican war, when he was 
commanding a small force of United States troops station- 
ed there. Her only daughter was living with her. Mrs. 
Fremont although nearly 70 years of age was in excel- 
lent health with all her mental faculties entirelv 



174 

uiiiinpaired. About the time her husband was the can- 
didate for President (1856) when she was in the prime of 
life, was regarded as one of the most beautiful and bril- 
liant women in Washington society. She had been very 
highly educated and her father Ool. Benton of St. Louis 
(afterward United States Senator) took unusual pains 
with her when a girl, giving much personal attention to 
her education. She became a fine linguist and read and 
conversed in five languages. I was a little surprised to 
find her speak French so fluently. She is fond of the 
language and speaks it whenever she has the opportuni- 
tv. As a conversationalist she excels, and delights in 
talking of the past connected with her long and eventful 
life. Her two sons are in the service of the government, 
one having been educated in tlie United States Naval 
Academy at Annapolis, and the other in the Military 
Academy at West Point. Both were in the late Spanish- 
American war and made excellent records, one in the 
navy and the other in the army. They are proving 
"worthy sons of a noble sire." Mrs. Freemont is always 
glad to receive calls from visitors to Los Angeles. 

While in California in 1873, we were the guests for 
some days of Governor Newton Booth, living in Sacra- 
mento the capital of the state. His career was a remark- 
able one. As a "hoosier boy" just out of college, he went 
to California, made some money, returned home, studied 
law, was admitted to practice, went back to California, 
and settled in Sacramento where he became the manager 
of the largest wholesale grocery house in the state. In 
the 60's he was elected a State Senator, and soon after- 
wards Governor of the state, While Governor he was 
elected to the United States Senate, and served one term. 
His popularity in the state was great. He never severed 
his connection with the great mercantile house of Booth 
&Co., of which he had been the head for nearly 30 years, 



175 

until his death in 1893. He was always a careful student 
and during his official life was regarded as one of the 
most scholarly men in the state, and all his state papers 
while Governor, and his speeches in congress which were 
infrequent, indicated the thorough scholar and statesman. 
An unpretentious man of fine intellect, far sighted in 
business affairs, and of attractive manner. When in the 
senate at Washington, he was the intimate friend of one 
of Illinois' favorite sons, Gen. R. .J. Oglesby then United 
States Senator, who held his brother senator from Cali- 
fornia in high esteem. 

Among the distinguished men I me'- and afterward 
knew well in San Francisco, was the Hon. J. K. Swift, a 
lawyer of exceptional ability, whose practice was large 
and who was generally regarded as one of the "coming 
men" of the coast. He was appointed one of the special 
commission chosen to negotiate a commercial treaty with 
China, of which the Hon. (Dr.) J. B. Angell, president of 
Ann Arbor University, Mich., and late United States Em- 
bassador to Turkey was President. His bright intellect, 
and wide information in regard to commercial matters 
in China, made him a valuable member of the commis- 
mission. After his return to the United States he was 
appointed Minister to Japan, and died there before the 
end of his term of service. 

During my stay in San Francisco, I often met one 
of my old army comrades of the civil war in the person 
of Colonel Alex Hawes of the Ninth Hlinois Infantry, 
whose regiment, during the first two years of the war, 
was brigaded with mine, the Twelfth Hlinois infantry,, 
which brigade part of the time was commanded by Gen. 
Oglesby. For nearly a score of years Colonel Hawes 
had held the responsible position of general agent of the 
New York Life Insurance Company for the Pacific coast, 
and was one of the best known men in San Francisco, 



176 

He made a splendid record in the civil war during his 
four years of service. He possesses administrative abil- 
ity of a high order, an attractive personality, is frank 
^nd generous in disposition and highly esteemed by all 
who know him. Some years ago he was sent by the 
company to London, England, to superintend its large 
business in Great Britain. 

In the latter part of the '80s I met at a dinner party 
at the house of a mutual friend in Chicago Joseph Jeffer- 
son, the celebrated actor. The conversation at the table 
was in regard to early times in Chicago and the North- 
west. I mentioned incidently that in 1840 I knew him 
at Galena and that we had played town ball together. 
He looked up in surprise, and said: "Are you Gus 
Chetlain, the athlete, as the boys called him, of the 
Campbell school, whom I knew when my father and Mc- 
Kenzie ran a theater there for a season?" I replied, '"I 
am." "Well, well," he continued, "T remember that 
winter well. I played occasionally when a role suitable 
for a girl or a boy happened to be on the bill, for I was 
onl}^ 11 years of age, and as I had leisure, I joined in 
the sports of the boys of Campbell's school, which was 
kept in the next door to our improvised theater. There 
were a lot of bright boys in that school with whom I be- 
came acquainted and of whom I have often thought 
since, wondering what had become of them." After 
dinner we were in the library, and when cigars had been 
lighted, he said: "Now tell me about those Galena boys. 
What has become of them?" I replied: There was Eu- 
gene Strode, the oldest son of Colonel Strode, and one of 
the oldest of the boys, who studied for the ministry and 
became a distinguished Baptist clergyman in Tennessee. 
He is now dead. John Q. Charles, the son of 'Squire 
Charles, the old justice, who studied law and became a 
merchant for a time, went to Pike's Peak in the early 



177 

'50s, moved to Denver, practiced law, went to the legis- 
lature, made a big success in some land deal, and is now 
one of Denver's millionaire lawvers. Bolton Strother, 
related to the distinguished family of Strothers in Vir- 
ginia, the handsome and bright scholar who studied law 
in Galena, practiced there a while, moved to Chicago, 
won a high position at the bar, and when 35 3'ears of 
age, through the influence of his friend and admirer, 
Stephen A._Dougias, was appointed collector of the Port 
of Chicago. He was a brilliant fellow, but was careless 
and irregular in his habits, and died soon after reaching 
40 vears of age. There was James M. Maughs, very 
bright and a good debater at the age of 15, who when 
20 years of age was appointed by Governor Ford of Illi- 
nois, one of the three aides on his staff with the rank of 
colonel of cavalry. In the latter '40s he moved with his 
father, who was a lumberman, to Central Wisconsin and 
engaged in the lumber business with great success for a 
time, and then lost all by timber fires and general bad 
luck. There too, was the handsome and bright little 
Watson Smoker, your favorite among the boys, who took 
to steamboating on the lower Mississippi, first as a clerk 
and then as a captain. He was popular and successful, 
but died before middle life. Albert Stephenson (Buck 
Hooper) was the mechanical genius of the school, who, 
at the age of 12. with a pocket knife, some lead and 
tin, ingeniously constructed a small engine, 8x12 inches 
in size, which worked admirably. He took a position as 
an engineer on one of our large steamboats, invented 
several valuable improvements for steam engines, and 
died a few years ago in St. Louis. Abner Hodgins, the 
quiet and studious boy of the school, who when as a 
clerk in a lumber firm, moved to Winona. Minn., en- 
gaged in the manufacture and sale of lumber, was elected 
the mayor of the city and is now one of the honored arjd 



178 

wealthy men of that place. (He has recently died.) 
Calmes Wight, son of State Senator A. G. S. Wight, one 
of our oldest boys, went into the Mexican war and was 
elected the first lieutenant of Captain Crow's Galena 
company and made an excellent record as a soldier. A 
few years later, when a young lawyer of recognized abil- 
ity, he died when on his way to St. Louis. 

Then I asked Mr. Jefferson how it came about that 
the Jefferson-McKenzie troupe was in so far an out of the 
way place in winter as the lead mines, with such a large> 
and able corps of actors. He replied, in substance, that 
the Jefferson-McKenzie troupe wanted to go West for a 
year as a venture. They left New York in the sj)ring 
and made their way to Buffalo by canal, playing in the 
larger places on their route. After a brief engagement 
at Buffalo they took a steamer for Chicago, stopping for 
a few days at Cleveland, Detroit and Milwaukee. They 
spent the later summer and fall in Chicago, doing a fine 
paying business, when they proceeded to Galena in open 
wagons, taking their stage paraphernalia with them. 
They played in Galena until the close of the year, when 
they went to Dubuque for a month or more, returned to 
Galena, where they remained until after the opening of 
navigation in April. Leaving Galena the troupe went to 
Burlington by steamboat and then to Quincy, Peoria 
and Springfield, filling brief engagements in each place. 
The intention was to stop in Springfield all summer, 
erect a temporary playhouse or theater, and play there 
all the next winter during the session of the legislature. 
During the summer McKenzie and wife left the troupe. 
Jefferson played in Springfield all winter and then went 
south to Memphis and Mobile, at which latter place he 
died, and young Joe, with his mother and a younger sis- 
ter, were left to shift for themselves. 

In the latter part of 1879, when Gen. Grant was 



179 

about to return from his memorable tour around the 
world, a movement was started in the East to place him 
in nomination for the Presidency in 1880. The three 
leading public men most active in the movement were 
Senators Conklin of New York) Logan of Illinois, and 
Cameron of Pennsylvania. These men, with all others 
who joined in the movement, claimed that Gen. Grant 
would be nominated in convention by acclamation, and 
the character of his reception after his tour around the 
world by the people, without regard to party, from San 
Francisco to New York, seemed to justify their claim. 
When Gen. Grant, after Lis return, was consulted, he said 
that he would not consent to be a candidate, but finally 
stated that he would take no part in the movement, and 
that the nomination should either have to come to him 
unsolicited or not at all. Gen. Grant's old friend, ex- 
Minister Washburne, then residing in Chicago, gave his 
early support to the movement. Later, however, and 
after the ovations were over and an anti-third term sen- 
timent had sprung up in the Republican party, he be- 
came convinced that Gen. Grant would never permit his 
name to be used in the convention if there was to be a 
contest, and he foresaw that a contest was inevitable. 

Gen. Grant took his family to his Galena home and 
soon after started on a tour through the South, Cuba and 
Mexico. It was arranged that Mr. Washburne was to 
. join the general and his party in Cuba and go with them 
to Mexico. For some reason I never understood, Mr. 
Washburne did not carry out the agreement. As the 
winter wore away it became evident to the leaders of the 
party that a more pronounced anti-third term sentiment 
was growing in the party in various parts of the country, 
many prominent German Republicans taking the lead. 
^ Mr. Washburne, as Gen. Grant's best friend, was ap- 
pealed to to stop the movement, secure Grant's nomina- 



18U 

tion the following; Jane, and aftei' throwing out the sug- 
gestiun that in case Gen. Grant should decline to go be- 
fore tJje convention, he, Washburne, would certainly be 
taken uj) and nominated. Others appealed to Mr. Wash- 
burne to come out o{)enly and declare himself a candi- 
date. His invariable reply to the latter was: "I am not 
a candidate. I am a Gi-ant man, and will sup[)ort hijn 
for President." 

In the month ol March, 18S0, a Republican club 
Avas organized at Mt. Carroll, 111., and named the Wash- 
burne Republican club, the intention of the club being 
to advocate the claims of Mr Washburne for President. 
I discussed the matter with Mr. Washburne, and he in 
my presence, wrot^ to the j)resident of the clulj, [)rotest- 
ing against the use of his name for the club, saying that 
lie '"was a Grant man and not a candidate for President." 
About this time many Republicans in the state began to 
distrust Mr. Washburne's sincerity as a supporter of Gen. 
Grant, and talked about it openly. I went to Mr. Wash- 
burne and told him wn.it I h id heard, and added that 
he ought to stop certain of his friends I named from 
publicly supporting him, and that the feeling against 
liim was growing bitter. He replied that he had done 
everything possible to prevent people from supporting' 
him, and had said a thousand times. that he was not a 
candidate, but a su[)porter of Grant for President. I 
added: "All that is doubtless true, but something ought 
to be done at once to set you right with the Grant men. 
Your only hope is with the Grant sup})orters. If anything 
should happen to him, and you are on right terms with 
his adherents, they would undoubtedly favor you, but 
the way things are going on, in such an emergency you 
would be ground to powder." He sim{)ly rej)lied, "I 
have done all I can — more I cannot do." 

As the spring advanced, matters grew worse. Wash- 



ISl 

bunie continued to receive niany letters beiii; j 1 1 (>• liim to 
cat loose from Geu. Grant and take an independent 
stand as a candidate before the coiiyentii^n. Tiiis he 
would not do, for he was pledged to Grant and to Gram's 
supporters, and he would stand by his t)ledii;es. I saw 
him every day. He seemed perplexed and worried. 
About the 1st of May I met Gen. Grant at Mr. Wash- 
burne's home in Chicago, and it seemed to me then that 
their former friendly relations were unchanged. Gen. 
Grant was on his way to Springfield, with a party of 
leading Republicans, to hold a conference. Mr. Wash- 
burne joined the party, although more than half sick, 
and his ailment I knew was more mental than phusical. 
Arrived at Springfield, the ()arty were invited to tline 
with the Governor. Mr. Washburne accepted with the 
rest of the party. Before the end of the dinner he 
begged to be excu.=!ed on account of illness, went to his 
hotel, took a late train for the East and stoi){)e I at the 
house of a relative at Bridgeport, Conn., went to his bed 
a sick man, and remained there for some weeks. 

The convention was held in Chicago early in June. 
The Grant men were united and sanguine. The opposi- 
tion was not united, but determined. The ])roceedings 
of that remarkable convention are a matter of history. 
The delegates voting for Grant, numbering 30b, stc^od 
together without a break througii many ballotings. Fin- 
ally the opposition united, and Gen. Garfield was nomi- 
nated. Gen. Grant during the session of the convention 
was at his home in Galena. A private telegraph wire in 
the office of his old staff officer. Gen. VV. R. Rowley, gave 
him the proceedings of the convention direct and with- 
out delay. A dis{)atch came to him at 11 o'clo^-k the 
day of Garfield's nomination, stating that at 1 o'clock 
he (Grant* would be nominated. Instead, at 1 o'olock a 
message came announcinu' the nomination of Gen. Gar- 



182 

field. Gen. Grant exhibitfd no uuusual emotion. He 
rose from his seat, adjusted his hat, lighted his cigar and 
remarked : "Well, I am glad that as good a man as Gar- 
field has received the nomination." He then started for 
his home to give his wife the news. 

The next day he said to Gen, Rowley: "My friends 
have not treated me well. They assured me that there 
would be no serious opposition to me in the convention. 
I could not afford to go before that convention and be 
defeated " It is very clear that Gen. Grant was not 
aware before the convention of the strong opposition to 
him, or rather to the third term, as was shown by 
the vote of the convention. Gen. Grant felt his defeat 
very keenly. Mr. Washburne did not receive man}^ 
votes in the convention, although he was the second 
choice of very many of the Grant delegates. He had 
reached Detroit on his way home when Garfield was 
nominated. The feeling among many of the Grant dele- 
gates, who had stood solidly and so long for their candi- 
date, seemed to intensify against Washburne after the 
adjournment, and Gen. Grant shared in the feeling. 
Washburne's conduct was condemned in bitter terms, 
and he was charged with having acted perfidiously. In 
the excitement, much was said and done which was clear- 
ly unjust to Mr. Washburne. 

The politicians who started to make Gen. Grant 
President for the third time did it, I believe, to head off 
a movement in favor of Mr. Washburne, whose popular- 
ity since his return as Embassador to France was very 
great, especially with the Germans. Senator Conkling 
had been a bitter enemy of Washburne's for twenty 
years, the outgrowth of a serious quarrel when both 
were members of the House of Representatives. Gen. 
Logan was strenuously opposed to him because he feared 
his political influence in the state of Illinois should he 



183 

become President. As to Senator Cameron, he, to say 
the least, was never an admirer of Mr. Washburne, and 
did not want to see him President. Gen. Grant, who 
was just about to return from his tour around the world, 
was just the man for them, if he could be induced to ac- 
cept the nomination. They moved judiciously and ob- 
tained his consent to be a candidate, which he gave with 
great reluctance and on condition that there was to be 
no opposition to him in the convention. Although Mr. 
Washburne, early and with much enthusiasm, joined in 
the movement to make his old friend again President, I 
have always been of the opinion that by the middle of 
the next winter he became convinced that Gen. Grant i 
would not be nominated and held to that idea to the 
very last. He knew better than any one else the grow- 
ing opposition to a third term, which would inevitably 
bring on a contest in the convention and which, when 
discovered by Gen. Grant, would induce him to peremp- 
torily decline to be a candidate. It was asserted, during 
and after the convention, that Mr. Washburne controlled 
enough votes among the anti-third term delegates to 
have given Gen. Grant the nomination had he so willed. 
This was not true. Mr. Washburne had a few friends 
among the so-called opponents to Gen. Grant. His many 
friends were among the Grant delegates. What few he 
had in the opposition to Grant were not under his con- 
trol. There was no combination favoring Mr. Wash- 
burne or any one else who was opposed to Grant. The 
contest was not between Gen Grant and some one else, 
but between Gen. Grant and the anti-third term idea. 

The breach between these two old and trusted 
friends was complete. They never met again after the 
Springfield dinner at the gubernatorial mansion. So 
bitter and unrelenting was Gen. Grant that when writ- 
ing his memoirs just before his death, he almost entirel}' 



184 

ignored his old friend. The breach between these two- 
great men of world-wide renown was the saddest that 
had ever occurred in the history of the nation. I, too^ 
suffered with Mr. Washburne in Gen. Grant's estimation,, 
for he believed that I, who had been his friend through- 
out, had advised and upheld Mr. Washburne in his 
course. The blow to both was severe, and neither ever 
fully recovered from its effect. 

Many years have elapsed since the occurrences re- 
lated above took place. Gon. Grant I had always re- 
garded as my friend, and as a soldier he was my ideaL 
Mr. Washburne had been my intimate friend for nearly 
two score years. The longer I live the more 1 am con- 
vinced, knowing as I do their close friendly relations 
during and after the civil war, that Gen. Grant ought 
never to have consented to be a candidate for the Presi- 
dency the third time, and when asked to take the nomi- 
nation should have replied: "No, gentlemen, I will not. 
accept the nomination, but there is my friend, Mr. Wash- 
burne, well qualified for the high [)osition; nominate him 
and I will work for his election." 

In February, 1885, when Gen. Grant v/as so ill at 
his home in New York city that his physicians believed 
he could live but a short time, Mr. Washburne left hur- 
riedly for New York and returned in ten days. After 
his return he seemed ill at ease and depressed in spirits. 
In conversation with him about his visit to New York^ 
he said, with some hesitancy, that he had gone there- 
hoping that it might result in a meeting with Gen> 
Grant and possibly a i-econciliation between them. He- 
said he went to one of the leading hotels of the city and 
all the daily papers had noticed his arrival. When E 
asked him if he made an effort to see Gen. Grant, he an- 
swered. "No. The General knew I was in the city, and 
if he had desired to see me he could easil}' have notified 



185 

me. He was the greater man, and it was for him to ex- 
tend his hand, which I would have taken with pleasure." 
I never heard him allude to the matter again. 

In the latter part of the '70s there drifted into Chi- 
cago six young men from Galena. They were James 
W. Scott, Christian C. Kohlsaat, George B. Swift, Her- 
man Kohlsaat, Hempstead Washburne and Arthur H. 
Chetlain. They were all Galena boys and at times 
schoolmates, who often went out on little excursions to 
shoot turkeys, pheasants and quail on the wooded bluffs 
of the Mississippi river west of Galeni. In time, one 
after the other located in Chicago, and it so happened 
that in the early '90s, without any concert of action or 
combination, Scott was the manager and part proprietor 
of the "Times- Herald," and Herman Kohlsaat, proprie- 
tor and manager of the ''Inter Ocean," both leading- 
daily newspapers of the city. Ga )rge B. Swift was 
mayor of the city, and was preceded by Hempstead 
Washburne and Carter H. Harrison, who was mayor 
during the world's fair year. Christian C. Kohlsaat was 
judge of the Cook County Probate Court, and Arthur H. 
Chetlain one of the judges of the Superior Court of Chi- 
cago, An old and prominent Chicagoan remarked at 
the time "that it looks very much as if Chicago was 
being run by Galena men." All who were officials were 
regarded as upright, able and efficient in the discharge 
of their official duties. The two who were managers of 
newspapers achieved wide reputations for energy, tact, 
discrimination and excellent administrative ability. 

In 1892 I organized the Industrial Bank of Chicago, 
with a. paid-up capital of $200,000, locating it in the 
manufacturing district lying near West Twenty second 
street and Blue Island avenue. The need of banking 
facilities had long been felt in that district by the lumber 
and coal dealers and iron manufacturers. I was elected 



186 

the president of the board of directors. Fifteen months 
after its doors had been o[>ened for business I was taken 
severel}' ill, and my eyesight became seriously impaired- 
I was compelled to give up all business. I went to Cali- 
fornia for a year for the benefit of my health. After my 
return I found myself still unfit for business, and sold 
out my interest in the institution, greatly to my sorrow, 
for when T organized it I intended the scheme to be the 
last business venture of my life. The bank started under 
most favorable auspices and its business met the expec- 
tation of its managers. In the board of directors were 
James B.Goodman and W. D. Goodman, extensive lum- 
ber manufacturers and dealers, who had large interests 
in pine lands in Wisconsin, with the reputation of 
being some of Chicago's most sagacious and successful 
business men; Louis Hutt, ex-county treasurer and a 
large manufacturer and dealer in lumber; John McLaren, 
now the president of the Hide and Leather Bank of Chi- 
cago, a financier of recognized ability, and Davey S. Pate 
and B. M. Hair, well known lumbermen, whose business 
qualifications were of a high order, and who ranked 
among the leading and successful lumbermen of Chicago. 
In 1881 there was started a scheme to celebrate the 
semi-centenial year of Chicago's existence as a chartered 
city, by a unique international military encampment to 
last twenty days. Troops of the regular army, of Nation- 
al Guards of various states, and a few small bodies of 
troops from Europe were to go into camp together and 
give drills for prizes, etc., thereby giving them an 
opportunity to fraternize. The project was well re- 
ceived and approved of by man}' leading citizens of Chi- 
cago who pledged material aid. It was estimated that 
the cost of the enterprise, including the expense of 
bringing troops from Europe and subsisting them while 
in the encampment, would be about ^200,000. The 



187 

month of October was fixed upon as the time for hold- 
ing the encampment. I was not one of the original 
promoters of the scheme, but was chosen Vice-President 
of the organization with the view of securing my services 
in obtaining troops from the various countries in Europe. 
Ex-Governor, J. L. Beveridge, a man of large ex|)erience 
in business affairs was the President of the organization. 
Oen. C. S. Bentley of the Iowa National Guards, then a 
resident of Chicago, and one of the original projectors of 
the enterprise, was chosen as General Manager or Com- 
mander, on account of his previous experience, having 
managed with success several inter-state encampments 
of National Guards, assisted by troops of the regular 
army, and for his well known energy and executive 
ability. 

In the latter part of May I sailed for Europe, accom- 
panied by Gen. C. S. Bentley, the General Manager, who 
was to assist me in securing troops in England, Holland 
and Belgium. The State Department at Washington as 
the result of an interview with Hon. T. B. Bayard, the 
•Secretary of State, had provided me with an official letter 
to each of our diplomatic representatives in England and 
Europe, instructing him to give me such aid as he could 
in carrying out my mission. These letters were placed 
in my hand by Secretary Bayard in person. I learned, 
soon after reaching Europe, that Secretary Bayard, after 
the letters of introduction had been prepared, was in- 
formed that the enterprise was of a private character 
and for personal gain, and at once sent a circular 
letter to each one to whom my letters were addressed, 
cautioning him against doing anything that might lead 
other governments to believe that our government was 
endorsing the scheme, that it was a private enterprise, 
€tc. Had Secretary Bayard said this to me when he gave 
me the letters in question as he should have done, I 



188 

think I would not have gone to Europe, but have 
returned to Chicago and advised abandoning the 
enterprise, at least so far as trying to get troops from 
Europe. , 

My treatment by the United States ministers was 
courteous and nothing more. At Brussels I made the 
discovery alluded to, after [ had visited London and 
Paris. It was then too late to think of retreating and I went 
on with my mission without the co-operation of 
our ministers. From Brussels I went to Flie Hague 
(Holland) and then to Berlin, (Jopenhagen, Stockholm, 
St. Petersburg, Vienna and Berne. All the ministers of 
war I met treated me with consideration des(>ite the 
"shady" character of my credentials, and in every in- 
stance I was permitted to have interviews with 
them, without the usual formality of making a written 
request for an audience through the American Legation, 
and being compelled to wait, sometimes for days for a 
reply. Gen. Perron, the Fi-ench Minister of War, at the 
request of an otficial in the office of the Minister of For- 
eign Affairs, whom I had known in the United States, 
granted me an irnmediate audience. I used his action 
as a precedent afterwards with all other officials, with the 
result given above. 

I will here digress to say that General Ferron, the 
French ]V[inister of War, had been informed before I saw 
him that I was a i)ersonal friend of Gen. Grant. At the 
audience granted me, after 1 had stated my business 
briefly, and had agreed to see him again upon my re- 
turn from Northern Europe I rose to go. He said, "No, 
General, be seated, I want to talk with yo'i about Gen, 
Grant, who I am told you knew well." Upon my assur- 
ing him that such was the case he went on to say, "I was 
in command in Algeria daring your great war, and was 
impressed with Gen. Grant's admirable conduct at Fort 



^ 



189 

Donelson and the splendid victory lie there achieved. 
From that time to the end of the war I studied him care- 
fully. You had many able commanders in your war, as 
had also the Confederates. Your General Sherman 
showed great ability as the coinnjander of a lar^e arujy. 
General Sheridan was simply splendid as a cavalry 
officer, and as commanders of great ability you had be- 
sides, McClellan, Thomas Meade and Kosecrans. Now 
tell me General, wherein do you think Grant was a great 
commander?" I hesitated a moment and replied, "Gen. 
Grant never claimed to be a tactician. He [)robably was 
not a greater organizer than some of the Generals you 
have named, but as a cool, determined and persistent 
fighter he had no equal in our army. Gen. Grant had 
a mathematical brain, and his forte was as a strategist or 
planner of campaigns. His old commandant at the 
military academy at West Point, while Gen. Grant was a 
cadet. Gen. Charles F. Smith, one of the oldest and ablest 
generals in our civil war, told me before the battle of 
Fort Donelson, that Gen. Grant, as a cadet, was wonder- 
fully proficient in mathematics." I said farther, "I don't 
think General, that the true history of Gen. Grant has 
yet beeri written. We are too near the scenes of that 
great war, but in time, slich a historian as your Thiers 
or Macaulay, of England, or our own Prescott, will give 
to the world a true history of that great military com- 
mander, and then I think it will be foujid that in high 
(/ strategy i. e. in planning campaigns for an army, or 
rather armies of 1,200,000 men scattered along a line of 
nearly one thousand miles in length. Gen. Grant 
could do so better and more successfully than any other 
military commander that this century has produced." 
Gen. Ferron became deeply interested, and as I finished 
he brought liis hand down upon his knee with some 
force and said, "General, that is the conclusion 1 reached 



190 

long ago." Gen. Ferron was then a man nearly sixt}'" 
years of age, tall, spare, gray haired, with a kindly face 
and a dignified and courteous manner. I learned after- 
wards that the General had the reputation of being one 
of the most accomplished officers in the French army, 
and an authority in army matters, not only in France, 
but in all Europe. 

The result of my visit to the countries I have 
named was as follovvs: The law in France prohibited 
her armed troops from going beyond her limits. The 
proposition nmde to Gen. Ferron was to allow, say forty 
cadets of the National Military school at St. Cyr to go to 
Chicago to join an equal number of graduates from West 
Point, to be together at the encampment, and then all go 
to West Point for a visit. After my return from North- 
ern Europe, Gen. Ferron said that my proposition had 
been favorably considered, but he regretted to say 
that all the cadets of the National Military school 
at St. Cyr who had graduated in June had been as- 
signed to armies in various parts of the world, and 
that, had the encampment been held in July or 
August my proposition would doubtless have been ac- 
cepted. 

In London there were two independent regiments, 
like the famous Seventh of New York, and the First regi- 
ment of Illinois National Guards of Chicago, composed 
of young men in the professions, trades, etc. From one 
of the two. "The Scottish Rifles," we hoped to get one 
company of eighty men with its officers and its lieuten- 
ant colonel and his staff. At Brussels we were to get a 
company of eighty picked men, twenty from each of the 
four arms of the service, with its officers and a major 
general and his staff officers. At The Hague, Holland, a 
general with hisstaff officers.and fifteen lieutenants of the 
line agreed to come. Prussia had regular troops only, and 



191 

would not permit them to go to the United States, fear- 
ing tliey might not return, as there was no provision 
in the treaty with the United States by which they could 
be compelled to return. At St. Petersburg I was cordial- 
ly received by the Minister of War, General De Feld- 
man, who informed me that my request had been con- 
sidered, and that the government regretted that some 
complications in the southeast border of the empire 
might become serious, and it was not deemed advisable 
to permit any part of the army to leave the em- 
pire; that under ordinary circumstances the govern- 
ment would have been glad to send 100 or more 
picked men with their officers and a general officer and 
staff by a man of war to New York, without expense to 
any one. At Vienna conditions were much the same as 
at Berlin, but the government would send a general offi- 
cer and staff to represent their country at the Interna- 
tional Military Encampment. At Berne I found no 
difficulty in securing eighty sharpshooters and their 
officers and a colonel and staff. That there could be 
no doubt as to our ability to meet the expense incurred 
by the visiting foreign troops, there was an agreement 
in every instance that immediately upon my return to 
Chicago I was to place in some bank funds estimated to 
be sufficient to defray the expenses of the contingent to 
New York, and from there to Chicago and during the en- 
campment and return. At Denmark, Norway and Swed- 
en no deposit of funds was asked for, and there were sent 
eighty picked men with their officers, and besides twenty- 
one officers, including two colonels. The contingent was 
in command of Colonel Lilliehook, commander at Stock- 
holm of the regiment of Royal Guards. He was an offi- 
cer of distinction, both brav-e and accomplished and of 
large experience, who had actively participated in two 
wars. After my return fr)m Europe, about the close of 



192 

July, I was surprised to find that the managers had failed 
to raise by subscription the money necessary to meet the 
estimated ex{»enses of bringing foreign troops to the en- 
campment. There had been lack of energy and system 
in obtaining subscriptions. They had on the books less 
than $100,000, when over $200,000 would be required to 
carry out the agreements made while on my mission. I 
immediately notified tlie parties in London, The Hague 
and Berne that their contingents had been eliminated 
from troops to come from foreign countries. The Bel- 
gium contingent, a very desirable one, at the last mo- 
ment decided not to come. The Scandinavian officers, 
after their return to their various countries, wrote back 
to the management expressing thanks for the courteous 
treatment they had received while at Chicago. 

The montii of October was a most disagreeable one 
for a military encampment. The cold and wet weather 
prevented visitors from attending. Moreover, the Na- 
tional Guards of the state, especially those of the city of 
■Chicago, for some real or fancied slight on the part of 
the management, failed to give the encampment the sup- 
port expected. The government was liberal in sending 
some of its best troops of infantry, cavalry and artillery, 
who co-operated cordially with the management in its 
efforts to make the encampment a success. It was not, 
however, the success its friends had hoped for and confi- 
dently expected. 

I have given above in detail my experience while on 
mv missions to obtain foreign troops to take part in the 
International Military Encampment held in Chicago in 
1887, to show that troops can be obtained in foreign 
countries for such a purpose. The idea of bringing to- 
gether troops of various countries to fraternize for a 
time is a good one, and cannot result in other than mu- 
tual good. 



193 

As I came into dail}^ contact with many of Chicago's 
active and enterprising men, I was more impressed with 
them than with Chicago itself, wonderful as it has been 
in its growth and prosperity. And now, looking back- 
ward over more than a quarter of a century, I find that 
many men with whom my life became unconsciously in- 
terwoven in society, in politics and in business affairs, 
are and will be a part of me the rest of my life. Among 
those now dead, whom I vividly recall, is that singular 
character, John Weiitworth. I knew him well, and yet 
he was and ever will be an enigma to me. Every one 
recognized his vvonderful power over men. As an editor 
of a newspaper, a representative in congress, and as a 
political leader he was "one in a million." Had this 
gifted man been less devoted to John Wentworth and 
more so to humanity about him, he would have ranked 
higher among the nation's great men. 

J. Young Scammon, once almost an autocrat in 
Chicago in finance, in j)olitics, in society and in public 
affairs, was a born leader of men. He had a clear intel- 
lect, broad education, large experience, and was gifted 
as a vigorous writer and impressive speaker. The real 
strength and beauty of his character was clearly seen in 
his patient philosophical and cheerful endurance of ad- 
versity through financial disasters which overtook him 
several years before his death. 

There was also a brother banker, W. C. Coolbaugh, 
the banker and able financier, who held such a 
distinguished place among the financial men of the 
Northwest. It is a pity that he did not live out his nat- 
ural life to show to the world the power he possessed. 
That he was a man of great mental force, clear-headed 
a,nd far-sighted, no one who knew him could doubt. 

I knew as far back as 1858, Emory Storrs, the brill- 
iant, learned and resourceful lawyer and captivating ora- 

M 



194 

tor, wlio, had he practiced more discrimination in th e 
management of his every-day private affairs would have 
held a higher p)Osition among those who are deemed 
truly great. His marked ability as a lawyer was univers- 
ally recognized and his friends all over the country 
made efforts with two administrations to have him ap- 
pointed United States attorney general. If he failed to 
be appointed, it was not because he lacked the requisite 
ability. 

And Leonard Swett, the great lawyer who had few 
peers in the state, and who was the intimate friend of 
Abraham Lincoln and of Senator and former Judge 
David Davis. He always seemed to me like the tall and 
shapely oak in the forest. I knew him well, admired 
his splendid ability, i^nd loved him for his stern integ- 
rity and generous and sympathetic disposition. 

About 1856 I first met Judge Lyman Turnbull, the 
distinguished lawyer, able jurist and ripe statesman, who 
during the dark days of the civil war, while chairman 
of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, did so much in 
shaping in a constitutional manner important legisla- 
tion, and, after the war, legislation bearing on the recon- 
struction of the seceded Southern states. 

I knew well ihe sound lawyer and learned jurist, 
Judge C. B. Lawrence, for many years preceding hi9 
death a resident of Chicago, and .vho, for some time, was 
the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the state of 
niinois, and later was appointed by President Hayes one 
of the five commissioners, of which Senator McVeagh of 
Pennsylvania, was the chairman, to investigate the re- 
turns made by the state of Louisiana for President the 
year before. Few men whom I have known intimately 
impressed me with their nobility of character more 
than he. Of wide and varied learning and a good con- 
versation;^list, he was a favorite wherever he was known. 



195 

James \V. McVicker, the veteran theatrical mana- 
ger of Chicago, was a man of acute mental perception,, 
of tirm convictions, of sturdy integrity, with a generous 
disposition, and who was so conspicuous in his active 
loyalty to the Union at the hreaking out of the civil war 
that he was elected an honorary member of the Illinois 
Commandery of Loyal Legion of the United States. I 
knew him intimately, and loved him for his admirable- 
qualities of head and heart. 

There too was the Rev. Dr. Patterson, the rect)gnized 
leader of the Presbyterian church in the Northwest for 
over two score of years before his death. Of command- 
ing presence, untiring energy and will force, a sound and 
learned theologian and an able and convincing speaker. 
I had olten heard iiim in the pulpit of the Rev. Aratus 
Kent at Galena long before 1 knew him in Chicago. He 
was one of a type of men fast di:-appe;trinLr. and was a 
potent factor in the building uf> of the Presbyterian 
church and in founding educational institutions. When 
he died a few years ago, the loss was not only to his 
church, but to all other Christian denominations. 

And my good friend and pastor for fifteen years,. 
Professor David Swing, the ripe scholar. Christian phil- 
osopher, humai itarian and great sermonizer. Few men 
with so little of the graces of oratory have succeeded in 
drawing such large audiences as did he for so many 
years. His great learning, quiet and kindly disposition, 
broad and liberal views and ready wit, naturally drew 
men to him. In the use of language as a public speaker 
he was not only scholarly, but his diction was of unsur- 
passed excellence, the result of natural ability and of 
careful mental training. 

Carter H. Harrison, formerly a member of congress, 
from Chicago and for many years its mayor, was one of 
the most remarkable men I ever knew. Of broad edu- 



196 

cation, wide ami v^aried iiiforination, keen [terception in 
affairs, large experience, a thorough politician, an excel- 
lent judge of nien, and of an attractive personality, a most 
fascinating conversationalist, gifted as a writer, and a 
fluent and forcible speaker. His son, Carter H. Harri- 
son, now mayor of Chicago, has much of his father's 
mental virility and political sagacity, with possibly more 
energy, less experience in public affairs, but tactful and 
keenl}^ discriminating as an official. He has in him the 
■elements of success in a high degree. 

George M. Pullman, a "king" among men of large 
affairs, was one of Chicago's most remarkable men. Su- 
perl)ly endowed with mental force, he was ingenious, re- 
sourceful, sagacious, energetic and conservative. In the 
twoscore years of his active business life he acliieved a 
reputation that "girdled the world." 

Edward G. Mason, the eminent lawyer, so long and 
so well known in Chit-ago, was a man of great natural 
ability and superior education, who, for many years pre- 
vious to his death, was the efficient President of the Chi- 
cago Historical Society, being the successor of the Hon.E. 
B. Washburne, former United States Minister to France. 
His mind was a vast storehouse of rare and valuable in- 
formation gathered largely trom the annals of the past. 
Immediatel}'^ [(receding his death his qualifications were 
considered with a view to his appointment as President 
of Yale College. 

Gen. Walter Q. Gresham was in many respects a 
rare man, of much positive strength of character and of 
a most amiable disposition. He made a brilliant record 
in the civil war. Gen. Grant appreciated him as a sol- 
dier, and also as a lawyer and jurist. After ihe war, 
while President, he appointed him Judge of the United 
States District Court of Indiana. He was subsequently 
appointed Judge of the United States Circuit Court at 



197 

Chicago. He filled these positions with marked ability. 
He was Postmaster General under President Ai'^thur and 
was appointed by President Cleveland Secretary of 
State, and died while he was an incumbent of that office. 
I knew Gen. Gresham well when he was for sume time 
my neighbor in Chicago. I admired him for his learn- 
ing and unassuming and kindly inaiiner. He was a 
favorite with the former soldiers of the civil war, and 
while Judge of the United States Circuit Court was 
chosen commander of the Illinois commandery of the 
Loyal Legion. 

Judge Mark Skinner was one of the best tyj)es of 
noble manhood. Living, he was honored — dead, he 
was mourned. Though dead, his labors and his 
Christian example remain, and they form his fittest 
monument. He was an early settler in Chicago, and 
during his long residence in that city he impressed him- 
self upon its people and institutions, as few other men 
had done. He was an unassuming Christian, a public 
spirited citizen, a genuine patriot, and a true friend. 
His gi'eat work as President of the Sanitary Commission 
held in Chicago in 1864 will never be forgotten by the 
loyal people of the country. He was a lawyer of ability, 
and a conscientious judge. His conspicuous loyalty to 
the Union during the civil war induced the Loyal Legion, 
to make him an honorary member. 

Henry W. King, an early merchant in Chicago, and 
who died recently, was one of Judge Skinner's neighbors 
and e.^teemed friends. Mr. King was a strong character. 
His work for nearly a quarter of a century as President 
of the Board of Managers of the Chicago "Relief and 
Aid Society" organized after the great fire, was a notable 
one. In performing it he displayed rare executive 
ability, excellent judgment and untiring industry. His 
death was an almost irreparable loss to the society. I 



198 

knew Judge 8ki:iiier and Mr. King well, and loved them 
for their many adniirable qualities of mind and heart. 

Col. T. Lysle Dickey, a fornjer captain of the Mexi- 
can war, was one of Illinois, early cavahy officers who I 
first met after the battle of Oondson. He was an able 
lawyer, a sound jurist, and a modest, brave and efficient 
commander of cavalry who never failed to receive the 
commendation of his superior officers for faithful service. 
Gen. Grant regarded him as one of his most excellent 
officers and apj)ointed him his chief of cavalry in 1802, 
which position he filled until he left the army in 1S()3. 
He was the assistant United .States Attorney General 
during President Johnson's administration, and in 
1870 was elected to the Su{)reme Court of Illinois, where 
he served until his death in 1885. A Kentuckian by 
birth, but an Illinoisan from his boyhood, he was well 
known and highly esteemed, not only by the bar of the 
state, but by his fellow citizens as well. 

Major Joseph Kirkland entered the volunteer service 
in the civil war at an early time as a private, vvas com- 
missioned a lieutenant after his three months service, 
received a staff appointment, and by his zeal, bravery 
and efficiency rose to the rank of Major. He was an able 
lawyer, and a writer of recognized ability, the latter, a 
quality inherited from his gifted mother, and vvas the 
author of several books, including "Zury" and the "Stor}^ 
of Chicago." He was a leader in the literary circles of 
Chicago for many years, and for some time previous to 
his death was the President of the "Twentieth Century 
Club" of Chicago. He was a cultured and courteous 
gentleman, and had many friends and admirers. 

There, too, was my old friend, the learned lawyer 
and distinguished and profound jurist, Judge John D. 
Caton, whose official acts as Associate Justice and after- 
ward Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Illinois and 



199 

his many [)i'i\'ate enterprises mike a conspicuous page 
in the early iiistory of Illinois. After leaving the bench 
he traveled extensively in Europe, China and Japan, 
and wrote several book'* filled with valuable inform ition 
gathered during his extensive travels. He was a man 
of great simplicity of character, directness of purpose, 
integrity, and of a kindly disposition, 

Three lawyers in Chicago whom I knew well and 
appreciated were Wirt Dexter, of keen intellect and of 
superior ability in his [irofession, and gifted as an elo- 
quent speaker; E. C. Lirned, the accomplished and cour- 
teous gentleman and distinguished lawyer, and the Hon. 
Isaac N. Arn)ld, the friend of Abraham Lincoln and the 
learned lawyer, scholar and statesman. 

I also knew well Andrew Shuman, forujcr Lieuten- 
ant Governor of Hlinois, and for many years the able 
and genial editor of the Chicago "Evening Journal," 
an 1 Anton Hesing, the venerable editor of the ''Staats 
.Zeitung," and his talent'^d son, Washington Hesing, late 
postmaster at Chicago, anl Robert Law. who in the '50s 
was at Galena, a contractor on the Illin )is Central rail- 
road, and for many years an extensive dealer in coal in 
Chicago, an 1 A. M. Billings and Jacob Beidler, friends 
and neighbors for many years on the West side and both 
multi-millionaires, and R. P. Derrickson, former member 
of the legislature, and the extensive manufacturer of and 
<lealer in lumber, and the public-spirited citizen, b. S. 
Hayes, the brainy lawyer and the efficient city comp- 
troller after the ureat fire. 



Among the many men who were in the civil war as 
active participants and who have passed away, and not 
mentioned in the foregoing pages, was my esteemed 
frien 1, Gen. William E. Strong, an exceptionally brave 
an 1 effi -ient offi.'or during his long term of over four 



200 

years of service in the volunteer army. Of an engaging 
personality, clear-headed, far seeing and successful as a 
business man, and unselfish and public spirited as a citi- 
zen. He was loyal to his country and true to his friends, 
a veritable Bayard, "sans peur et sans reproche." 

Gen. Phil H. Sheridan was the ideal American sol- 
dier, whose name is a synonym for all thai is brave and 
heroic in the patriotic defender of his country. In 1883, 
when the Illinois commandery of the military order of 
the Loyal Legion of the United States was instituted in 
Chicago, he was elected its commander, and served until 
his removal to Washington. He went to Europe in 1870 
to witness the military operations in the Franco-Prussian 
war. Prince Bismarck, after having had an interview 
with him, made the remark: "That man is a good fight- 
er, and he looks it." 

And that gallant soldier. Gen. William T. Sherman, 
whose death in l^^iSo'aused heartfelt sorrow among his 
army comrades, to whom all were deeply attached. I 
was one of a large delegation of his friends who went to 
St. Louis to attend his funeral. I knew him somewhat 
during the war, but in the last ten years of his life I be- 
came intimately acquainted with him, and he was fre- 
Cjuently a guest at my home, in Chicago, where all were 
very fond of him. He was a grand and noble man. The 
woild said he was peculiar in disposition. Well, he was 
William T. Sherman, and there was no other army offi- 
cer like him. Large- brained, large-hearted, impulsive 
at times, but sensible, upright and true always. 

Gen. Julius White was not only a brave and effi- 
cient soldier, but also a man of thought and action and 
successful in business affairs. After the civil war he was; 
appointed United States Minister to the Argentine Re- 
public and filled the position with marked ability. Be- 
fore the civil war he was prominent in the politics of his 



201 

state as a Republican, especially in the memorable Lin- 
coln campaign in 1860, and won the reputation of being 
energetic, shrewd and discriminating. His uniform 
courtesy and kindly manner made him popular. 

Gen. J. D. Webster was at the breaking out of the 
civil war an ex-captain of the regular army. He ranked 
high as a military engineer and became in 18(52 chief 
engineer of Gen. Grant's staff, where his services were of 
a most valuable character. His energy was proverbial, 
his judgment excellent, and his resourceful brain led 
him to suggest much which proved a great benefit to the 
service. He possessed wide and varied information, and 
was a most entertaining and instructive conversationalist. 

Gen. George W. Smith, who died recently, and who 
was one of Chicago's prominent lawyers, was a neigh- 
bor of mine for many years. He served in the civil war 
with great efficiency and was regarded as one of the best 
and bravest of Illinois' regimental commanders. At the 
close of the war he was brevetted a brigadier general for 
meritorious services. He was elected State Treasurer of 
niinois in 1866 and served one term. His judgment as 
a business lawyer was regarded as sound and reliable, 
and his practice as counselor was large and lucrative. 
Endowed with many admirable traits of character he 
was universally beloved. 

Gen. I. N. Stiles was the brave soldier, able and suc- 
cessful lawyer, and ihe witty and genial companion; 
Colonel J. H, Howe, the gallant soldier, tawyer, jurist 
and railroad attorney, and Gen. H. N. Eldredge, the 
brave soldier, learned lawyer and a coi*rteous, generous 
and companionable man. 



A third of a century has passed since the civil war 
ended. For over twenty-five years of that time I have 
lived in Chicago and have mingled with my army com- 



202 

rades. Among those still living, with many of whom I 
have been intimate and wiio have not been mentioned in 
foregoing pages, are Gen. John C. Black, intellectually 
one of the ablest of the aV}le men of Illinois, who won 
•distinction in the civil war by his courage, efficiency and 
thorough knowledge of his duties. His attainments as 
a lawyer are of a high order, and he has few equals as 
a scholarly' writer and a fluent and forcible Si)eaker. He 
has filled with marked ability the offices of United States 
Commissioner of Pensions and of United States District 
Attorney for the Northern district of Illinois. He is 
courteous and genial in mannM' and a favorite in social 
and literary circles. 

Major E. A. Blodgett, so well known in Chicago, has 
been the commander of the Illinois Department of the 
G. A. R. one year. During his long service in the civil 
war he was as brave as the bravest and conspicuously 
efficient. In civil life he has won a high reputation as a 
shrewd and successful business man. He has quiet en- 
■ergy, is a good judge of men, is genial and comi>anion- 
able, frank and generous, and a favorite with the old sol- 
dier element. 

My old-time friend, Gen. John Corson Smith, for- 
merly of Galena, has a record in the civil war of which 
any American patriot might well be j)roud. Years ago 
he was the Treasurer and afterwards Lieutenant Governor 
of the state of Illinois. He has clear judgment, rare 
practical intelligence and is cordial and kindly in man- 
ner. He is a high and distinguished Mason and Odd 
Fellow. It is believed that the general has the rare fac- 
ulty of being able to call more men in the state of Illi- 
nois by their full names than any other man in it. 

Gen. Thomas 0. Osborn, the soldier and diplomat, a 
a brave and distinguished officer in the civil war, had 
few equals and no superiors. He vvas the United States 



203 

Minister Resident at Buenos Ayres, Argentine Republic, 
for sixteen years, achieving a high reputation for sound 
judgment and unusual skill in managing the affairs of 
his country as its representative at a foreign court. 
He possesses rare general intelligence, is an able lawyer 
and an eloquent speaker. 

Colonel James A. Sexton, so well known in Ciiicago, 
was its postmaster one term by appointment of President 
Harrison. He commanded the Illinois dei)artment of 
the G. A. R. one year, and at the time of his death, which 
occurred recently, was commanrler of the National De- 
Department. He made a splendid record during his 
long service in the civil war, and when but twenty years 
of age, with the rank of captain, won distinction by suc- 
cessfully commanding a regiment in battle. His attract- 
ive personality, integrity, practical sense and cordial and 
kindly manner m ide him popular outside as well as in- 
side of army circles. He was a careful student of events, 
well informed, and withal a graceful and impres- 
sive speaker. Shortly before his death he was hon- 
ored by being appointed by President McKinley one of 
the Com nis-iion to investigate the conduct of the late 
Spanish- American war. 

Gen. Smith D. Atkins, whom I knew bef >re the civil 
war, has been for twenty-four yedvs past the postmaster 
at Freeport, 111., and for many years the editor and pro- 
prietor of the "Freeport Journal." His long service in 
the civil war, especially while in command of cavalry, 
was full of deeds of daring and great efficienc}'. He was 
a Freesoiler and afterwards a Republican, and hasalwa^'S 
been influential in the counsels of his part3\ He is a 
vigorous writer and an effective speaker, and is widely 
kn:)wn a'l 1 hij^hly estee nad throughout the state. 

Gen. J. B. Leake is a lawyer of recognized ability, 
and for one term served as United States District Attor- 



204 

iiey for the Northern district of Illinois. As an officer 
in the civil war he possessed valuable soldierly qualities 
in an eminent degree. 

My esteemed friend, Gen. A. C. McClurg, the ripe 
scholar and polished and courteous gentleman, was also 
the brave and accomplished soldier of the civil war with 
a record of exce{)tional merit. 

Gen William Sooy Smith, who as a military engi- 
neer in thecivil war had few equals, and who as the com- 
mander of a brigade was skillful, brave and efficient. 
He has served for one year as commander of the Illinois 
Commandery of the Loyal Legion. 

Major George Hunt of the Twelfth regiment Illinois 
Infantry, rose from the ranks in his four years' service to 
a Majority. After the war he was elected to fill the 
office of Attorney General of the state of Illinois, and 
made a record seldom equalled. He is now practic- 
ing his profession in Chicago, where he has taken a de- 
servedly high position at the bar. 

Gen. Joseph Stockton is a careful, conservative and 
successful man of business, was a gallant soldier in the 
civil war, and is a public spirited citizen of much amia- 
bility and popularity. 

My friend, J. Mason Loomis, is the born soldier who 
was always fond of the profession of arms. In the civil 
war, as a regimental or brigade commander, he proved 
himself in an eminent degree a courageous and skillful 
officer, especially in battle, for which he never failed to 
receive the unqualified commendation of his superior 
officers. 

Gen. Orrin L. Mann, the sheriff" of Cook county for 
four years soon after the civil war, is endowed with fine 
natural ability, has a well -trained mind, and so consti- 
tuted mentally that whatever he undertakes to do he does 
well. His army record is one of unusual excellence. 



205 

Gen. John McNulta is one of the best known men in 
the state of Illinois, and is an excellent type of the Amer- 
ican volunteer soldier. A learned lawyer, a sagacious 
man of affairs, a public spirited citizen of sturdy integ- 
rity, genial in disposition and exceptionally generous. He 
is intensely loyal to his country, and invariably true to 
his friends. 

Col. George K. Dauchy, one of Chicago's extensive 
iron manufacturers, is a man of broad education, of high 
literary attainments, of keen business perception, con- 
servative and successful. His record in the civil war 
was an exceptionally creditable one. Suave in manner, 
and of a kindly disposition, he is highly esteemed by all 
who know him, especially by his army comrades. 

Col. F. A. Stevenson has long been known in Chi- 
cago as a lawyer of abili.y and a successful man of busi- 
ness. He entered the army early in the civil war and 
won distinction, especially as a staff officer, possessing a 
thorough knowledge of his duties, with tact, vigilence 
and bravery. As a business manager he is clear sighted 
and conservative. His engaging personality, frank and 
generous disposition makes him a favorite in the circles 
in which he moves. 

I knew Captain Samuel E. Gross nearly a quarter 
of a century ago when he operated in Chicago as a real 
estate agent, in a small way. He soon developed rare 
ability and discrimination. His shrewdness and skill in 
subdividing and improving outlying tracts of land for 
suburban residences has placed him at the front rank of 
real estate operators in Chicago, and has made him 
very wealthy. He has literary taste, and is the author 
of several books. He served in the army during the 
civil war and won distinction for bravery and efficiency. 
He has practical intelligence, is cordial in manner, and 
is a genial and generous host. 



206 

Geii. Green B. Raum is an eminently practical man, 
and WHS a soldier, not onl}'' brave, but resourceful and 
efficient as the commander of a regiment or a brigade. 
He was United States Commissioner of Pensions at Wash- 
ington for four years, and discharged the duties of the 
office with ability. 

Gen. R. N. Pearson, whose career in the civil war 
was marked by energy, intelligence and personal courage 
in an eminent degree. He commanded a regiment of 
Infantry with discrimination and success before he was 
21 years of age. His frank and cordial manner makes 
him a favorite with the ex-soldiery. 

In your intercourse with some men you are naturally 
drawn to them. Such a (me is my friend and neighbor 
in Chicago, Major William Vocke, the able lawyer, dili- 
gent student, ripe scholar, the brave and efficient soldier 
in the civil war, and the courteous and generous host. 

Captain Eugene Gary, past commander of the Illinois 
Commandery of the Loyal Legion, is a quiet, refined, in- 
tellectual and suave gentleman, the conspicuously gal- 
lant soldier in the civil war, the public spirited citizen, 
the clear sighted man of affairs, and the genial compan- 
ion. 

The "Saul" * of the Illinois Commandery of the Loyal 
Legion, is Colonel J. B. Keeler, of superb physique, large 
bodied, large minded, and large hearted, and seemingly 
born to command men. As a soldier in the civil war his rec- 
ord was an admirable one, replete with deeds of daring. 
He is a sagacious and successful man of business, and his 
genuine kindness of disposition makes him a favorite 
with all who know him. 

Gen. (Bishop) Samuel H'allows is one of the earnest 
and able leaders of the Reformed Episcopal church in 
Chicago He entered the service in the civil war as the 

* See ist Samuel, gth chapter, 2d verse. 



• 207 

chaplain of a Wisconsin regiment of volunteers, and was 
soon appointed its colonel and commander. At the close 
of the war he was appointed a brigadier general by 
brevet for gallant and meritorious services. His bravery 
and efficiency as the commander of a regiment was only 
equalled by his zeal and devotion as a chaplain. He is 
a graceful and forcible speaker and has had conferred 
upon him the honorary degrees of D.D. and L.L.D. 

The Rev. Dr. Arthur Edwards is the veteran editor 
of the ''Northwestern Christian Advocate," published in 
Chicago. He rendered his country valuable service in 
the civil war as a chaplain. His marked ability and dis- 
crimination as a writer has long been recognized, as well 
as was his zeal, earnestness and devotion to his sacred 
calling. His attractive personality, sympathetic dispo- 
sition, affability and wideatid varied learning make him 
one of the most cotnpanionable of men. 

I have always had great esteem for my friend. Col- 
onel Huntington \V. Jackson, the handsome, courteous 
and accomplished gentleman, and the brave, intelligent 
and successful soldier of the civil war. He is a distin- 
guished member of the Chicago bar, and one of the best 
types of the energetic and public-spirited citizen. 

There are three Judges on the bench in Chicago who 
are members of the Hlinois Comraandery of the Loyal 
Legion, the first-named having served for one year as its 
commander. They are Colonels R. S. Tuthill and A. N. 
Waterman of the circuit court, and Captain H. V. Free- 
man of the superior court, all officers of the civil war 
whose records were unusually meritorious. Their learn- 
ing and ability as jurists are only equalled by their 
bravery and efficiency as soldiers while in the service. 

Gen. Charles Fitzsimons, so well and favorably 
known in Chicago for a score of years, is a gallant officer 
who served in a New York regiment of cavalry and was 



208 

brevetted a brigadier general at the close of the war for 
meritorious services. He is a civil engineer of recog- 
nized ability, and has had much to do with public works 
in Chicago. A forceful character, frank and cordial in 
manner, and highly esteemed by his fellow citizens. 

Gen. Walter R. Robbins is another cavalry officer who 
served with distinction in the Array of the Potomac 
during the civil war, and was also made a brigadier gen- 
eral by brevet for gallant services. He came to Chicago 
soon after the war and engaged in the lumber trade. 
His energy, industry, uprightness and approved meth- 
ods in business have made him a prominent figure in 
lumber circles. He is a popular member of the Loyal 
Legion and of other army societies. 

One of theprorainent figures in the military circles 
of Chicago is Gen. John L. Beveridge, a former member 
of congress and ex-governor of the state of Illinois. He 
is a lawyer of learning, who practiced his profession in 
Chicago before the war. His record in the civil war. 
as the colonel of the Seventeenth Illinois cavalry, is one 
of rare excellence. The general has an impressive per- 
sonality, much natural ability, a well trained intellect, 
large experience in public affairs, much practical intelli- 
gence, is dignified and courteous in manner, of a kindly 
disposition, and is a ready and forcible speaker. 

One of the most admirable characters I know among 
the former soldiery of the civil war is Colonel Augustus 
Jacobson, the exceptionally brave and efficient soldier 
and the cultured and accomplished gentleman. He has 
literary tastes and marked ability as a writer and lectur- 
er on practical subjects, such as manual nnechanical) 
training schools for boys and young men. With an 
acute and well-trained intellect, he has good judgment^ 
broad sympathies and a courteous, genial and attractive 
manner, He is an excellent representative of the Ameri- 
can patriot and soldier of foreign birth. 



209 

The Rev. Dr. N. D. Hillis is a talented and popular 
young clergyman, and the successor of Prof. David Swing 
in the Central church. He is broad-minded, liberal in 
his views as a theologian, and an earnest, active and 
persistent worker, not only in his own church and con. 
gregation, but also among all classes. He is emphatic- 
ally a man of ideas as well as of action, and a fluent and 
effective speaker. His genuine kindness of disposition 
and wide and varied learning naturally draws men to 
him and makes him popular. He has recently become 
the pastor of Plymouth church. Brooklyn, N. Y. 

Some time in the latter '50's there came from Chica- 
go to Galena a young, fair faced and highly educated 
German of courteous and winning manner, named 
George Schneider, who addressed a large German, polit- 
ical meeting in a very eloquent manner. He was then 
and had been for several years a prominent and influ- 
ential politician in the northwest. In 185i-5 he was the 
editor of the Staats Zeitu ng of Chicago, the most influ- 
ential German paper in the Northwest. It was anti- 
slavery and an early advocate of free soil. Mr. Schneider 
was a delegate to the Philadelphia convention which 
nominated Gen. Fremont for the presidency, and was also 
a delegate to the Chicago convention which nominated 
Mr. Lincoln. He was chairman of the executive com- 
mittee of the Union Defense committee of the state and 
in 1862 was appointed by his old friend, President 
Lincoln, collector of U. S. revenue for the ('hicago dis- 
trict, which position he filled for four years. He was ap- 
pointed U. S. Consul to Denmark in 1851, and U. S. Min- 
ister Resident to Switzerland in 1876, but declined the 
latter appointment. In 1871 when the National Bank 
of Illinois was organized in Chicago he was elected its 
president and filled the position for over twenty-five 
years, during which time he won the reputation of being 

N 



210 

a shrewd, sound and conservative financier. During his 
residence of forty-five years in Chicago he has been rec- 
ognized as one of the best types of the citizen of foreign 
birth. Mr. Schneider's genial and cordial manner, his 
kindly dispo?ition and marked intelligence has made him 
popular with all classes. 

John G. Shortall is one of Chicago's active and suc- 
cessful men of business. He is besides, a reformer^ 
philanthropist and humanitarian. For many years he 
has been the efficient president of the Chicago Humane 
Society, and also for some time the president of the Na- 
tional Humane Society. When a young man of eighteen 
he went to Galena from New York where he had served on 
the reportorial staff of the "Daily Tribune," and was em- 
plo}ed by the Illinois Central R. R., after which in 1853 
he took a position as reporter for the "Galena Jeffer- 
sonian," edited by Dr. C. H. Ray. He possesses intense 
mental activity, a clear head and marked executive force. 

Judge W. H. Blodgett who has served so long and so 
well as judge of the U. S. District Court at Chicago is one 
of Northern Illinois' oldest, best and most highly 
esteemed citizens. He studied law in Chicago with 
Scammon and Judd in the '40s, was in the legislature of 
Illinois for many years and served as director, attorney 
and president of a railroad. In all the positions he occu- 
pied he showed himself energetic, resourceful, of sound 
judgment and successful. I have long known Judge 
Blodgett and have always admired him for his learning, 
integrity and kindly disposition. He is now living in 
retirement in his old home at Waukegan, 111. 

I knew the Hon. A. M. Jones of Warren, 111., before 
the civil war. Not long after the close of the war he was 
elected to the legislature and served several terms He 
took a high position in the lower house and was the rec- 
ognized leader of the Republicans. His restless energy, 



211 

discrimination, tact and persistency uaturaly made him a 
leader. As a sagacious politician he had few equals and 
no superiors in his state. He made Chicago his home in 
the early '80s and '90s. His residence is now in southern 
Wisconsin. In disposition he is genial, frank, affable 
and withal an excellent judge of men. 

Judge Bradwell, the veteran editor and p'-oprietor 
of the Chicago '"Legal News" has been prominent as a 
citizen of Chicago for nearly half a century. During the 
civil war he was a member of the committee of safety and 
a recognized power among Chicago's active, loyal citizens- 
He is clear headed and resolute and his probity has never 
been questioned. He has filled positions of honor and 
trust in the state. 

I knew in Galena in the early '50s a bright eyed, 
active, industrious boy of some 12 years of age, the son of 
a widow. Through the influence of a good friend he 
made his way to Chicago, entered a bank as a messenger, 
and later a mercantile h )use as a clerk. In time he be- 
came the head of the wholesale house of Felix, Marston 
& Blair. B. F. Felix is one of Chicago's best known and 
most highly esteemed citizens. His shrewdness and reli- 
ability in business affairs are everywhere recognized, and 
his frank and generous disposition make him a charm- 
ing companion. 

Joseph Medill,* for so many years the veteran editor 
of the Chicago Tribune, with whom I have spent pleas- 
antly and profitably so many hours at his Chicago home, 
and the nestor of the press of the Northwest, is a unique 
character. His great ability as a newspaper writer has 
long been recognized, and he clearly ranks with and is 
the peer of any of that group of great editors now all 
dead, Greely, Bennett, Raymond, Weed and Parke God- 
win, He has been an indefatigable worker all his life, is 

♦Has recently died. 



212 

a great reader and has a retentive memory. His infor- 
mation on almost every subject is wide and correct. As 
a conversationalist he has no superiors, and he is alwa3"s 
interesting and instructive. He was the mayor of Chi- 
cago just after the great fire, and has filled important po- 
sitions of honor and trust under the Federal government. 

Robert T. Lincoln is one of Chicago's favorite citi- 
zens, who, in his quiet way, lias impressed them with 
his brain power, sound judgment and great executive 
force. He is a recognized lawyer of ability. His ex- 
perience in public affairs as Secretary of War, and more 
especially as United States Embassador to England, 
where he won a high reputation for statesmanship, clear- 
ly fits him fur any position in the gift of the American 
people. He is modest, courteous, self-contained and 
kind-hearted. 

Thomas F. Chard, my immediate neighbor in Chi- 
cago for some years, is a clear-headed and successful man 
of business. He is a constant and careful reader, whose 
mind is stored with varied and valuable information, 
and who wields a graceful and vigorous [)en. His men- 
tal acquiremenfes and attractive manner are appreciated 
by a large cirjle of friends. 

Thomas B. Bryan fo,r over forty years has been a 
prominent figure in Chicago. As a learned, able and 
successful lawyer he has few equals at the bar of that 
city. He was appointed by President Lincoln the presi- 
dent of the Board of Commissioners for the District of 
Columbia, which virtually made him its governor. He 
has filled other important positions of trust under the 
Federal government since. Probably no other man in 
the past twoscore years lias inaugurated so many projects 
to promote the best interests of Chicago, or has been so 
active and potent in carrying them out. He is endow- 
ed with superior natural ability, is broadl}' educated 



213 

and has been an assiduous student all his life. As a 
man of affairs he has few equal?. He has a magnetic 
personality, untiring energ}^, keen business perception, 
kindliness of manner, and withal is a fluent and impres- 
sive speaker. 

I have an old and valued friend in J, ^(cGregor 
Adams, the well-known manufacturer, who for nearly a 
quarter of a century has been identified with almost 
every movement designed to advance Chicago's welfare. 
His practical sense, good judgment and kindly and at- 
tractive manner and sympathetic disposition has made 
him popular with all classes. Practically retired from 
active business, he spends his leisure time at his charm- 
ing home, "Yarrow," at Highland Park, a Chicago sub- 
urb, where he is known as the '"Laird of Yarrow." 

My friend and neighbor. Potter Palmer, the veteran 
man of affairs, whose life for nearly half a century has 
been so closely identified with Chicago,s social, moral 
and material development, is far-seeing, conservative and 
of sound judgment, who moves on business lines that 
almost always lead to success. 

Lyman Gage, now Secretary of the United States 
Treasury, is a product of Chicago. Forty years ago he 
was a bank clerk, and has since ascended the ladder step 
by step, until now he is on the topmost round. He has 
been recognized in Chicago as an able and conservative 
financier for many years. The whole country now con- 
cedes his ability as such. Broad-minded, of clear, cool 
and reliable judgment and general practical intelligence, 
with his recent large experience in national affairs, un- 
questionably qualifies him to fill any position in the gift 
of his countrymen. 

George L. Dunlap is an old-time friend, whose suc- 
cessful career as a railroad manager in the Northwest is 
well known, and which success was due to his force- 



214 

energy, keen busii ess insight, and the practical and often 
ingenious methods he employed. He has an attractive 
personality, a generous and kindly disposition, which 
makes him one of the most companionable of men. 

W. W. Kimball, the extensive manufacturer of or- 
gans and pianos was one of a group of m}^ intimate 
friends. He is a level-heade<l, far-seeing, intensely act- 
ive and successful business man, and is genial, witty and 
magnetic with his friends, and always a cordial an d 
generous host. 

Franklin McVeagh is one of a number of my es- 
teemed friends and neighbors on the North side, I be- 
came well acquainted with him in the latter '70s, while I 
was a member of the executive committee of the Citi- 
zens' Association of Chicago, of which he was the presi- 
dent. He is a man of rare culture, of much brain force, 
clear-sighted in business affairs and a public spirited 
citizen. He is recognized in society as a courteous, dig- 
nified and kind-hearted gentleman. 

W. J. Onahan, long a citizen of Chicago, has a well 
trained intellect, is a persistent student and a popular 
lecturer. He has been closely identified with Chicago's 
various interests as a private citizen and a public official. 
He filled, by appointment, the office of city comptroller 
for three terms, discharging its duties faithfully and well. 
His interest in educational matters has been active and 
potent, and he has been connected with the management, 
indirectly, of several of the leading educational institu- 
tions of the Northwest, one of the most prominent of 
which has honored him by the bestowal of the honorary 
degree of L.L.D. He has by a long and persistent effort 
and at great expense collected the largest and most val- 
uable library of books, old and new, of Irish literature 
in the United States. He is still in the prime of life, a 
courteous, cultured, genial and kind hearted gentleman. 



215 

In the early '50s Charles T. Trego was a clerk in 
one of Galena's large mercantile houses. His industry, 
intelligence and strict devotion to his duties were well 
known. A few years before the war he moved to Chi- 
cago, became connected with a commission firm, and soon 
afterwards operated alone. In a few years he became a 
prominent and influential member of the Board of Trade. 
His keen discrimination and conservative methods made 
him successful. His integrity and unvarying fairness 
in his business transactions gave him a high position 
among his fellow members. 

Among my near neighbors and esteemed friends of the 
north side was Edward F. Lawrence who recently died. I 
knew him in Galena in the '50s when employed by a 
Boston mercantile house to look after its western busi- 
ness. He was a shrewd and successful business man and 
an able financier, who for many years before his death 
was a director of the First National Bank of Chicago. 
He was a generous, genial and companionable man. 

Two young men from the state of New York located 
in Chicago in the '40s Charles B. and John V. Farwell, 
ambitious, brainy, energetic, sagacious and of good judg- 
ment, who in time engaged in mercantile business, and 
met with marked success. They have always been public 
spirited and active factors in pushing forward any pro- 
ject to benefit Chicago and its people. Charles B. besides 
being a successful merchant developed rare ability as a 
statesman and financier, as was shown by his services as 
a Representative in Congress and later as a United States 
Senator. While in the Senate he did much in securing 
the location of the World's Columbian Exposition at Chi- 
cago. John V. always had much religious zeal and en- 
thusiasm. Through his close connections with, and ma- 
terial support of the Young Men's Christian Association 
for over a quarter of a century he has exerted a powerful 



216 

Christian influence far beyond the limits of his own state. 
While engaged in this work he unconsciously builded 
for himself a monument more enduring than granite. 

One of the clear-headed, broad-minded and most ag- 
gressive and successful men in Chicago, is its old citizen, 
George E. Adams, who was one of its most efficient mem- 
bers of Congress a few years ago. He is constantly sug- 
gesting schemes and enterprises to benefit the city of Chi- 
cago and is ever ready to aid in executing them. He is; 
a lawyer of recognized ability, has had large experience 
in public affairs, and backed by his wealth and personal 
influence he usually succeeds in accomplishing whatever 
he undertakes, especially if he believes it to be for the 
public good. He is a man of culture, is courteous in 
manner, and a thoroughly up-to-date American. 

During the latter part of the '70s five young men of 
Chicago were frequently at my house, all being intimate 
friends and college chums of my son, and some of them 
were at times members of my family. They were all pro- 
fessional men. Twenty years have wrought great 
changes, yet all are in Chicago, practicing their profes- 
sions. Stephen S. Gregory, the son of one of Wiscon- 
sin's most distinguished lawyers, has practiced law in 
Chicago with success for over twenty-five years. He 
is recognized as one of the ablest lawyers of the that bar. 
His attainments in his profession are high. He is a 
man of broad sympathies, literary taste, and marked 
ability as a writer, and is frank, cordial and courteous 
in manner. Hempstead Washburne was Chicago's effi- 
cient mayor the year before the Worlds Fair. He is a 
lawyer and has won the reputation of being learned and 
able, as also that of being a financier of much discrimi- 
nation and shrewdness. Henry S. Robbins is a profound 
lawyer, of clear and keen intellect and thoroughly versed 
in the practice of his profession. He is genial in dispo- 



217 

sition and a most charming host. Dr. Charles H. Vilas, 
a younger brother of ex-United States Senator Vilas 
of Wisconsin, distinguished in his profession, is of an 
impressive and attractive personality, of wide and varied 
information, a fine conversationalist and a favorite in 
the social circles of Chicago. H'e is now and has been 
for some years the dean of Hahnemann College of 
Chicago. Herman B. Wickersham is a clear headed 
lawyer, industrious, painstaking and successful. In the 
early years of his practice in Chicago he was in the office 
of the late Judge Turnbull, who held him in high esteem. 
Mr. Wickersham, as a practical and efficient business 
lawyer, stands deservedly ligh. He has recently been 
elected President of the Marquette Club of Chicago. 

One of the most popular men in the society circles 
of the North side is Orrin W. Potter, one of Chicago's 
able financiers, a successful business man, and now presi- 
dent of one of the leading banks of the city. He pos- 
sesses a high order of administrative ability, practical 
intelligence, cool and reliable judgment, and in disposi- 
tion is kind and cordial and one of the most generous of 
hosts. 

Among the many Board of Trade men 1 have known 
in Chicago, Charles W. Brega is one of the most remark- 
able in this, that over a score of years ago, while an act- 
ive member of a commission firm, he met with unusual 
success on the Board of Trade, and had the wisdom to 
know when he was "well off," practically gave up his 
business, and has since operated in other and safer finan- 
cial lines. His acute discrimination, practical good 
sense and conservative business methods are well known. 
His kindly and generous disposition makes him socially 
one of the most attractive of men. 

I am an admirer of Henry J. Willing, the energetic . 
and clear-headed man of affairs, whose energy, industry, 



218 

persistency and devotion tu his duties as an active mem- 
ber of the mercantile house of Field and Leiter, were 
proverbial. He retired from active business years ago, 
and now, with a generous han'l, assists those less fortun- 
ate in life. 

E. B. McCagg, the learned lawyer, ripe scholar and 
courteous and accomplished gentleman, has been a resi- 
dent of Chicago for nearly half a century, and is the 
center of a large circle of cultured friends. He is a 
writer of rare force and elegance. Although not a poli- 
tician, he has filled positions of trust in the state. For 
his conspicuous loyalty to the Union during the civil 
war he was elected an honorary member of the Loyal 
Legion. 

W. R. Harper, L.L.D., is one of the leading and 
best known educators of the country, and for yeai-s past 
has been President of the LTniversity of Chicago. What 
he has accomplished for that institution during his ad- 
ministration by his zeal, tact and excellent judgment is 
simply a marvel. Still in middle life, posses>;ed of great 
natural ability, highly learned, intensely energelic, of 
unusual brain force and of keen discrimination in judg- 
ing of men, if he lives, he cannot fail to accomplish still 
more in making the University of Chicago what he in- 
tends it shall be, viz: the greatest and most advanced 
school of learning on this continent. 

Rev. Dr. F. W. Gunsaulus made his advent in Chi- 
cago some ten years ago, as the pastor of Plymouth 
church, and at once took a high place as a pulpit and 
platform orator of great force and eloquence. Although 
comparatively a young man, having scarcely reached 
middle life, he has already accomplished much as an 
earnest and untiring worker in the broad field of Chris- 
tian effort to elevate and bless mankind of all classes 
and conditions in life. For some years he has been at 



219 

the head of the management of the Armour Institute of 
Chicago, where he has shown himself possessed of su- 
perior administrative ability. Broadly educated, of an 
ardent temperament, liberal in his views as a theologian, 
he is a sincere, unassuming and kind-hearted Christian 
man, much beloved by all who know him. He has re- 
cently become the pastor of the Central church, as the 
successor of Dr.^^N\ Hillis. 

I know and have appreciated that group of Chris- 
tian stalwarts in Chicago who for over a score of years 
have earnestly and fearlessly led the hosts of righteous- 
ness against the powers of evil and wrong doing, and 
who have joined hands in performing effective work in 
lifting erring humanity to a higher moral plane. They 
are the Rev. Drs. Henson, Locke, Noble, Goodwin, Emil 
Hirsch, H. W. Thomas, and Bishops Cheney, McLaren, 
Fallows and Foley. The noble and unselfish Christian 
work of all these years will never be fully known and 
appreciated until after they have gone to their reward. 

William Penn Nixon, whom [ have known since he 
assumed the management of the ''Daily Liter Ocean," 
one of the leading newspapers of Chicago, more than 
twenty years ago, is one of the best known and most 
highly esteemed of its citizens, and is now the United 
States Collector of the Port of Chicago by appointment 
of President McKinley. He possesses great vvill force, 
energy and acute discrimination, and in his quiet and 
methodical way manages to accomplish much. He is a 
man of thought as well as of action, is a careful student 
of events, and possesses rare practical intelligence. Li 
disposition he is unassuming, genial, generous and com- 
panionable. 

There are in Chicago many men of large affairs, 
whose phenomenal success in their various vocations has 
been and is the marvel of the world. Armour, Marshall 



220 

Field, Allerton, Ream, the Cudahys, Nelson Morris, 
Seigel, Leiter, Sr., Fairbank, Otto Young and scores more 
who might be named, whose intuition leads them almost 
invariably to do the right thing, and whose magic touch 
seems to turn dross into pure gold. 

Fernando Jones, an early settler of Chicago, has a 
retentive memory, and for years past has been a walking 
encyclopedia of interesting events cq^ff^ecxed with Chi- 
cago in the '30s and '40s, Mr. Jones has always been a 
keen observer of persons and things, and has large' ex- 
perience and excellent judgment. The information he 
has been able to give his fellow citizens in relation to the 
value of realty within the limits of the county of Cook 
has been regarded as reliable, and hence valuable. In 
the early years of his residence in Chicago there was a 
group of energetic and sagacious men to which he be- 
longed, composed in part of P. W. F. Peck, Alex N. Ful- 
lerton, Silas Cobb, Dr. Foster, Jerome Beecherj^^rchibald 
Clybourne, F. C. Sherman, Philo Carpenter and Walter 
L. Newberry, who did much as shrewd and far-sighted 
business men in developing its resources and in advanc- 
ing as well their own pecuniary interests, for they all in 
time became wealthy. 

Soon after I took up my residence in Chicago I 
made the acquaintance of Amos Hall, for many 3^ears 
previous to his death the treasurer of the Chicago, Bur- 
lington & Quincy railroad. He was a man of mental 
force, great practical intelligence, uprightness and amia- 
bility, of akindly disposition, and was not only respected, 
but beloved by all who knew him. His daughter, Mrs. 
Colonel Fred L. Fake, who resides in Chicago and is well 
known in society circles, has inherited much of her 
father's mentality, attractive manner and genuine good 
nature. 

Some fifteen years ago circumstances brought me in 



221 

close contact with Elmer Washburn, who was a candi- 
date for ma^^or of Chicago in 1891. When a young man 
he served for a time as a volunteer in the civil war, and 
was, not long after the war, the marshal or chief of po- 
lice of Chicago for two years. He filled a position of 
trust under the government at Washington in the '70s. 
He was for some time the president of the board of man- 
agement of the Union Stock Yards of Chicago, and 
afterwards president of the Stock Yards Bank, He is a 
quiet but forceful character, an excellent judge of men, 
the embodiment of effective energy, and is now a large 
contractor on public works in New York, with his son, 
Frank Washburn, who is a civil engineer of superior at- 
tainments. 

I have long known Eugene S. Pike, a man of large 
business affairs and a financier of recognized abilit}^ 
who, for many years has been connected with the manage- 
ment of the First National Bank of Chicago. He has 
energy, keen business perception, good judgment, and 
operates on conservative and safe lines. In manner 
he is frank and cordial, in dis{)osition kind and sympa- 
thetic, and is generous as a host. 

John R. Walsh, for many years the president of the 
Chicago National Bank, is one of the remarkable men of 
Chicago. Like his brother banker, the Hon. Lyman 
Gage, president of the First National Bank of Chicago, 
and now Secretary of the Treasury at Washington, he 
began his career at the foot of the ladder, a newsboy^ 
then the owner of a newspaper and periodical stand, and 
later the organizer and manager of the Northwestern 
News company, the largest and most successful establish- 
ment of the kind in the country. A quarter of a cen- 
tury ago he began business as a banker. Some men are 
said to be born soldiers and others born poets. Mr. 
Walsh is evidently the born banker and financier. He 



222 

has a keen intellect, a well balanced mind, and is an ex- 
cellent judge of men. Of quick perception and intense 
energy, he may at times be somewhat impulsive, but 
when the emergency arises, his cold-blood judgment 
asserts itself. His management of affairs outside of 
banking is masterful and successful. He is, moreover, a 
public spirited citizen, ever ready to assist generously in 
carrying out any project which is clearly for the public 
good. He is still in the prim^^ of life, and if nothing un- 
forseen happens, he will, I believe, achieve a reputation 
as a financier in the next decade which will be more 
than national. 

The Hon. George Peck, a lawyer of national reputa- 
tion, located in Chicago a few years ago for the practice 
of his profession. For a half score of years he had been 
the attorney for the Santa Fe system of railroads and 
lived in Kansas, where he achieved great distinction 
in his profession. He was supported by delegates of 
some of the trans-Mississippi states as a candidate for the 
Presidency in the Republican National Convention of 
1896. He possesses much natural ability, a keen and 
well trained intellect, energy, tact, good judgment, an 
attractive personality, and is generous and kind hearted. 
He is, moreover, highly gifted as an eloquent and forci- 
ble speaker. 

Among my esteemed friends in Chicago is the Hon. 
John S. Miller, the well known and able lawyer, who was 
the corporation counsel under the administration of 
Mayor Washburne in 1891-3, and is now the president 
of the Union League Club of Chicago. He stands de- 
servedly high at the bar, having much mental force, en- 
ergy, keen discrimination and probity, and whose suc- 
cess in his profession has been exceptionally great. He 
possesses largely the elements of popularity, viz: rare 
practical intelligence, knowledge of human nature, a 
frank and genial manner, and a generous disposition. 



223 

I met the Hon, Lorenzo Brentano, the scholar, lawyer, 
editor, diplomat and statesman in Europe in 1872, when 
he was on his way to Dresden to fill the position of United 
States Consul. Mr. Brentano was a strong character and 
impressed all who came in contact with him as a man of 
unusual mental force and broad sympathies. He was my 
neighbor in Chicago in the '80s, and I esteemed him for 
his many admirable qualities of head and heart. He 
served in Congress most efficiently for one term. His son 
the Hon. Theo. Brentano, for many years a Circuit Judge 
in Chicago has his father's strong and vigorous mental- 
ity, good judgment and amiable disposition. He possesses 
a judicial mind and ably fills his position on the bench. 

Years ago I often met in business circles aiid in so- 
ciety on the south side, two prominent citizens who have 
died recently. Charles M. Henderson, with his brother, 
Wilbur S. Henderson, the extensive boot and shoe manu- 
facturers, and Edson G. Keith, the broad guaged merchant 
and capitalist of the firm of Keith Bros. These men were 
friends and neighbors, equally patriotic, public spirited 
and unassuming zealous and devoted christians, ac- 
tively interested in the great work of elevating human- 
ity to a higher intellectual, moral and religious plane. 
They were shrewd, sagacious business men and excep- 
tionally successful. When such men are removed, the 
loss to the community is great, and often irreparable. 

DeWitt C. Cregier whose acquaintance I made in the 
latter '70s was a man of unusual force of character. For 
some years, before he was elected the mayor of Chicago, 
he was the general superintendent of the West Division 
street railroad and made a most efficient manager. He 
possessed thorough knowledge of his duties and was en- 
ergetic and discriminating. He served two terms a& 
mayor of Chicago. During President Cleveland's second 
administration he received the appointment of United 



224 

States Store Keeper of Army Supplies in Chicago. His 
large experience, practical intelligence, uprightness, good 
judgment with a quiet but attractive manner, drew men 
to him and made him popular. He was a high and 
influential Mason. I have met him often in Masonic 
circles during the past twent}' 3'ears. He presided over a 
convocation of Royal Arch Masons or over a conclave 
of Knights Templar with rare dignity and abilit}', 
was gifted in Masonic work, and greatly beloved by the 
fraternity. When he died (1898) he was sincerely 
mourned by many of his fellow citizens outside of Ma- 
sonic circles. 

I would not be doing myself justice were I to pass 
unnoticed my esteemed friend, Edmond Bruwaert, who 
for nearly a decade was the Consul General for France 
at Chicago, and so well known to the business men of 
that city, as well as in its social circles. In the latter 
'70s Mr. Washburne, at that time United States Ambas- 
sador to France, told me that in the diplomatic circles of 
Paris Mr. Bruwaert, who then was not many years past 
his majority, was regarded as the brightest young diplo- 
mat of his age in France. He made commercial treaties 
a study and became an expert. For many years he was 
often chosen as secretary of high commissions appoint- 
ed by the French government to negotiate commercial 
treaties with European and other nations. So learned 
and skillful was he that at the age of 35, without solicita- 
tion or effort on his part, he had been decorated ten 
times by other nations after treaties of this kind iiad 
been made. The last decoration, "Knight Commander of 
Gustav Wasa of Sweden," was conferred upon him by 
King Oscar of Sweden in the '80s, after the conclusion 
of a commercial treaty with France. The Republic of 
France has made him a ''Chevalier of the Legion of 
Honor," and he is an officer of the order. All who 



225 

know him will bear me out in. saying that he is a thor- 
oughly cultured, genial, suave and courteous gentleman, 
possessing unusual general })ractical intelligence. In 
the latter part of the '80s, when France sent a high com- 
mission to China to negotiate a commercial treaty, Mr. 
Bruwaert was taken from his post in Chicago to accom- 
pany it as secretary. Political complications arose and 
the commission, after a few months' stay at Pekin, re- 
turned with its mission unfulfilled. He is now Consul- 
General lor France in New York city, and his friends 
expect that he will soon be promoted to Minister Resi- 
dent at some foreign court. A few years ago he married 
Miss Susie King, one of Chicago's most beautiful and ac- 
complished young ladies and a favorite in society. 

Among other men living in the North division of 
the city, with wliom I came in frequent contact, was 
Abram M. Pence, for a quarter of a century a prominent 
member of the Chicago bar. His superior ability as a 
lawyer has always been recognized, and, halving a judi- 
cial mind, he should have been placed on the bench of 
Chicago long ago. He has the reputation of being one 
of the most public spirited citizens of that division of 
the city. 

One of Chicago's veteran lumbermen and long a 
resident of the North side is George Farnsworth, late 
president of the Oconto Lumber company and now vir- 
tually retired from business. His mental force, large 
experience and excellent judgment, has made him for 
many years an authority in lumber circles. His success- 
or as the president of the company, James C. Brooks, 
well known as a successful lumberman and long con- 
nected with that company, has energy, acute business 
perception and good judgment. His uprightness and 
fairness in daaling with others is generally recognized. 

Gsjrge B. Hirrls, a valuei friend and resident of 

O 



226 

the North side, is the Vice President of the Chicago,. 
Burlington & Quincy and also President of the Chi- 
cago, Burlington & Northern railroads, and has the rep- 
utation of being the best railroad manager of his age in 
the Northwest. He is the incarnation of effective en- 
ergy, and his judgment in railroad matters is of superior 
excellence. When "off duty" he is an interesting talker^ 
a genial companion, and a generous host. 

Another well-known and popular Northsider is Lu- 
ther Laflin Mills, the learned lawyer, brilliant orator and 
one of the best types of excellent manhood. 

Soon after the great fire of 1871, when the North 
side, south of Lincoln Park began to be rebuilt, there^ 
came into the district a number of men of prominence^ 
. with whom I became well acquainted. Among those' 
still living who have not been alluded to in foregoing 
pages are Dr. Ralph N. Isham, the eminent practitioner; 
Volney C. Turner, capitalist and former efficient Presi- 
dent of the North Division Street railway; S. M. Nicker- 
son. President of the First National Bank of Chicago; 
A. H. Burley, ex-city comptroller, capitalist and banker; 
Hon. Lambert Tree, lawyer, jurist and ex-United States 
Minister to Belgium and Russia; Hon. D. B. Magruder, 
lawyer, and associate justice of the supreme court of Illi- 
nois; F. B. Peabody, prominent operator in mortgages 
and loans; A. A. Carpenter, a leading lumberman, capi- 
talist and banker; Gen. F. S. Winston, lawyer, capitalist 
and ex-United States Minister to Persia; Dr. Robert 
Collyer, the eminent Unitarian clergymen, now of New 
York city; Orson Smith, President of the Merchants' 
Loan and Trust Company of Chicago; James W. Odell, 
long a prominent Board of Trade operator before his re- 
tirement; Calvin S. Wheeler, the veteran banker (now 
retired) and former President of the Continental Nation- 
al Bank of Chicago; E. W. Blatchford, manufacturer and 



227 



capitalist, and W. D. Kerfoot, a leading real estate oper- 
ator and now comptroller of the city of Chicago 

Among those who have passed away are Cyras H 
McCormick, of world-wide reputation as an inventor and 
manufacturer of farming implements; Mahlon Ogden 
capitalist and operator in realties; S. H. Kerfoot, nromi- 

capitalist and financier; Colonel Lucien Tilton lonj 
connected with the management of the Illinois c'entra! 
railroad; S. Corning Judd, eminent lawyer and postmas- 
er of Chicago m the '80s; W. D. Houtaling, prominent 
ln.nberman and capitalist; Hon. Norman B. iudd law- 
yer, legislator and Minister to Germanv: John DeKoven 
capitalist and banker, and Perry H. .Smith, the railwav 
magnate. -^ 

There were many men i„ the .tate on.side of the 
cy of Ch.cago who, before, aunng and after the eivil 
war I knew well and with many of whom I was on terms 

1-27 I ;"-''"r- -""""S "'"'<' '■"- "«'"bere,l 

Kowet of Maeoupui county, the large hearted, clear 
headed and brave soldier of the civil war, who waTa 
f..rcefnl character and greatly beloved by all his cou.rades. 

much attached, was the recognize.1 poet of the Army of 
he Tennessee. He was ever chivalrous, brave and of an 

United States Collector of Internal Revenue for the 
Quincy district. 

Gen. T. E. G. Ransom, whose thorough knowledge 
o his duties as a soldier and whose conspicuous braverv 
1.1 action made him the cynosure of all eves and greatly 
endeared him to all his army comrades ' ^ 

Gen. VV. W. Belknap, a learned and distinguished 
lawyer ,n fowa, enterred the volunteer service at the 



228 

breykino- out of the civil war as the colonel of a reofi- 
rueiit, and made a very creditable record for intelligence, 
bravery and efficiency. He impressed Gen. Grant as 
a man of unusual ability, executive force and integrity. 
He appointed him Secretary of War, as the successor of 
Gen. John A. Rawlins. He resigned his office before the 
end of his term for rea.sons I need not here state and for 
which he was subjected to severe criticism in certain 
quarters, but his friends who knew all the facts esteemed 
him none the less. Gen. Belknap was a strong and well 
poised character, and his management of the war office 
was excellent in every respect. He was always popular 
"with the "old soldiers" of the Army of the Tennessee. I 
was fond of him and admired him for his true manli- 
ness, generosity and genuine kindliness of heart. His 
son, Hugh R. Belknap, member of congress from one of 
the Chicago districts, has much of his father's mental 
force, administrative ability and amiability. He is "a 
worthy son of a noble sire." 

One of my most highly esteemed army friends was 
Gen. Lucius Fairchild of Wisconsin. He commanded 
for some time the Iron Brigade of Wisconsin Volunteer 
Infantry in the Army of the Potomac, where he achieved 
great renown for braver}' and unusual efficiency. After 
the war he was successively elected for six terms govern- 
or of his state, was United States Coiisul at Liverpool 
four years (1872-76) and in the '80s was commander-in- 
chief of the Grand Army of the Republic one year. 
Possessed of unusual practical intelligence, of a kind 
disposition and attractive manner, he was one of the 
most beloved and popular of the ex-soldiers of the civil 
war. 

The Rev. Joel Grant of Lockport, 111., was appointed 
in the summer of 1861 chaplain of the Twelfth Illinois 
Infantry, which regiment I commanded for over two 



229 

years. He was highly educated, unassuming, patient 
and industrious. His singular devotion to liis duties 
and faithfulness in their discharge won for him during 
his four years of service, the respect and love of the men 
of his regiment and the unqualified commendation of 
his superior officers. 

Capt. Guy C. Ward, of the Twelfth Illinois, so well 
and favorably known before the war in Southern Illi- 
nois, was killed in battle at Corinth. He was a good 
type of the intelligent, patriotic citizen and of the mod- 
est, brave and faithful soldier. Captain K. B. Ferris, of 
my regiment, also one of Princeton's (111.) esteemed citi- 
zens, died from wounds received at Shiloh. His courage 
and devotion to his duties made him an exceptionally 
valuable officer. Captain W. T. Swain, of the same regi- 
ment and from the same county, was also mortally 
wounded at Shiloh. Captain Swain was a strong char- 
acter, faithful and brave as a soldier, and public spirited 
as a citizen, whose integrity was never questioned. 
Princeton lost another of its best citizens when Lieuten- 
ant Wright Seaman was killed at Shiloh. He, too, be- 
longed to the Twelfth regiment and was beloved by all 
his comrades and was a brave, intelligent and efficient 
officer. 



Among my friends now living in Illinois and in 
other sections of the Northwest who have not before been 
mentioned, I will name the following: Gen. J. G. Mar- 
tin, a prominent citizen and banker of Salem, III., a sol- 
dier in the civil war who achieved an enviable reputa- 
tion, and who not long ago was commander of the Illi- 
nois Department of the G. A. R. His actions through 
life have always been guided by a clear and sound 
judgment. 

My admiration was always great for Gen. J. .J. Phil- 



lips of the Ninth Illinois Iiil'aiitrv, a l)right young law- 
yer before tlie uarand now C'hirf .Justice of the Sujtieme 
Court of the statn of illiuois. He was a dashing, brave, 
and intelligent soldier <-f the civil vvai', who when, as a 
Lieutenant Colonel in ct^nnnand of tavalry in 1863, had 
rank and opj)ortunity favored him, would have been the 
"Phil Sheridan" of the Army of the Tennesste. 

One of the prominent citizens of Fulton county, 
111., is Gen. L. F. Ross, who, when in ijje civil war, al- 
ways performed his duty in a most gallant and efficient 
manner. His zeal, energy and good judgment, when in 
the command of a regiment or of a brigade, were con- 
spicuous, and made for him a record of rare excellence. 

Elgin, 111., is the home of a well known citizen, 
Gen. J. S. Wilcox, who, as a soldier in the civil war dur- 
ing his four years' service, showed rare intelligence, 
marked ability and military prowess. He had no su- 
perior as a regimental commander in the Army of the 
Tennessee. 

Gen. John B. Turchin, now living in Southern Illi- 
nois, of military training in Europe when young, en- 
tered the volunteer army in Chicago as a Colonel in the 
early days of the civil war. His two years' service was 
replete vvi h deeds of daring and marked efficiency, the 
result, in a measure, of his early military training. 

I have an esteemed friend in Gen. Thomas J. Hen- 
derson, of Princeton, 111., the veteran soldier and states- 
man, who has great brain force and who is endowed 
with the rare faculty oi always doing well whatever he 
undertakes to do. He has served several terms as a 
member of congress, and filled soon after the war, posi- 
tions of trust under the Federal government. He is de- 
servedly popular throughout the state. 

Gen. John M. Palmer, whom I have long known, 
the astute lawyer, learned jurist and able statesman of 



2:^1 

Springfield, 111., was a biave aiul efficient commander of 
volunieeis in the civil war. His clear and strong intel- 
lect made his practical methods in the war valual)le to 
the army and the country. 

Gen. William C. Kuetfner of Beliville, 111., having 
gained some military knowledge in Germany when a 
young man, made a most intelligent and efficient officer, 
and his long service of over four years in the gallant 
""old Ninth Illinois" vvas a notable one. He commanded 
the regiment in Sherman's famous campaign through 
Oeorgia. He held after the war positions of honor and 
trust under the general government. 

My friend, Gen. John B. Sanborn, at the break- 
ino; out of the civil war was a voun:;:, highlv educated and 
popular lawyer at St. Paul, Minn. He was intensely 
loyal to the Union, was early api)ointed quartermaster 
genera] by the Governor, and was a prominent factor in 
recruiting four regiments of volunteers for the war. He 
was commissioned in 1862 the ('olonel of the Fourth regi- 
ment Minn. Infty., and began a service which was marked 
throughout by zeal, intelligence and efficiency. He at- 
tracted the attention of General Grant, who detailed him 
to perform duties recjuiriug tact and discrimination 
After the war he served in both branches of the state leg- 
islature and afterwards filled positions of trust under the 
Federal Government. He stands high in his profession, 
and is one of the most prominent and honored citizens 
of his state. 

I knew well in 1863 Gen. John I Rinaker, after- 
wards a member of congress from Carlinville, HI., as 
our regiments were in the same brigade for several 
months. He was an intelligent, painstaking and brave 
soldier, who was conscientious in the discharge of his 
■duty, either as the commander of a regiment or of a 
brigade. He has been an influential member of the Re- 



232 

publican party in the state, and since the war, besides 
serving with distinction Iwo terms in congress, has filled 
offices of honor and trust in the state. I was impressed 
with three traits in Gen. Rinaker's character, viz: prac- 
tical intelligence, modesty and integrity. 

Gen David B. Henderson of Dubuque, la., who has 
just been elected to congress from his district for the 
ninth time, is one of Iowa's volunteers in the civil war 
who achieved a high reputation for bravery and general 
efficiercy. He has for some time been the chairman of 
the committee on military affairs in the House of Repre- 
sentatives, where, during the Spanish-American war, he 
was enabled to do much to aid the government in suc- 
cessfully prosecuting the war. Gen. Henderson has in 
him the elements of success. Although an ardent Re- 
publican, he has always been stronger than his party in 
his congressional district. In manner he is cordial and 
attractive. Endowed with much natural ability, he is 
well educated, has had long experience in national 
affairs and is energetic, resourceful and a ready and forc- 
ible speaker. 

In 1863 I served with Colonel W. P. Hepburn of the 
Second Iowa cavalry on a military commission for two 
months. He was then a young lawyer of marked ability. 
His record in the war was one of exceptional excellence. 
In the '80s he was elected a member of congress for the 
Clarinda, la., district and served two terms. He was 
afterwards appointed by President Harrison, Solicitor of 
the Treasury and later re-elected to congress, and is a 
prominent and influential member of the House of Rep- 
resentatives. He has a keen intellect, much will force 
and persistency, and as an impressive and convincing 
speaker has few superiors in the House. He was a 
prominent candidate for United States senator before the 
legislature of Iowa two years ago. 



233 

Ex-Governor George W. Peck of Milwaukee, Wis.,, 
has been for many years a prominent figure in the state 
of Wisconsin. He began life when a boy in a country 
newspaper office, and in time became the proprietor of 
"Peck's Sun," a weekly nevvspaper published in Milwau- 
kee, and achieved a national reputation as a writer of 
articles under the head of "Peck's Bad Boy," in which he 
showed marked ability as a humorous writer. He was 
elected twice the Governor of the state of Wisconsin, 
after he had served one term as mayor of Milwaukee. 
His army record in a Wisconsin regiment during the 
civil war was a very creditable one. Governor Peck is a 
forceful character, possessing intelligence, energy, tact 
and discrimination. Hisattractive personality, keen sense 
of the humorous, genial temperament, generous disposi- 
tion and gracious manner have made him popular with 
the masses. He has returned to his "first love," and is 
again the editor and proprietor of "Peck's Weekly Sun," 
published in Milwaukee. 

Captain H. A. Castle of St. Paul, was also a soldier 
in the civil war, with a most creditable record. For 
some years after the war he was the editor and proprie- 
tor of the "St. Paul Dispatch," and afterwards was ap- 
pointed postmaster at St. Paul. He was not only a gal- 
lant soldier, but also a cultured gentleman, who has been 
the center of a circle of friends and admirers of tastes 
similar to his own. He has held various positions of 
trust under the state and Federal governments. I have 
long known Captain Castle and esteem him for his many 
attractive traits of character. 

I am an admirer of Colonel William F. Vilas of 
Madison, Wis., who entered the volunteer army as a 
colonel of a Wisconsin regiment in the early days of the 
civil war, but who, from ill health, was compelled to re- 
tire before the end of his second vear of service. He is 



a lawyer of great learning and ability, and possesses a 
strong, keen and well trained intellect. In the '8Us he 
was elected United States senatoi- for Wisconsin, and 
afterwards was Postmaster General by ai)|tointment of 
President Cleveland. He has energy, acute discrinjina- 
tion and administrative talent of a high order. When 
Gen, Grant was received and entertained in Chicago by 
the Society of the Army of the Tennessee after his tour 
around the world. Col. Vilas delivered an address at the 
banquet of exceptional beauty, force and eloquence, 
'which gave him a national reputation as an orator. He 
is dignified and courteous in manner, and in disposition 
generous and kind-hearted. 

The'eventsof 1861 are more indellibly impressed 
ui)()n my mind than those of any other year in my life. 
In April 1S()1 1 found myself in Springfield, 111., at the 
head of a comj)any of volunteers who had enlisted for 
three months service under President Lincoln's call for 
75,000 volunteers. The legislature was in extra session, 
and prominent citizens from all parts of the state were in 
Springfield, many being connected with the six regi- 
ments of Infantry, the states quota under the call. The 
central figure was Governor Yates who had been in- 
augurated in January of that year. During my two 
"weeks stay at the cai)ital I became well acquainted with 
him. Possessed of a keen intellect and well trained 
mind, energy, large experience in })ublic affairs, he was 
well fitted for the resj)onsible position he held. He was 
intensely loyal to the Union, proved equal to the 
emergency, and became one of the six noted "war gov- 
ernors" of Union states. He was gifted as an orator, had 
a frank and winning manner, and was a great favorite 
with the masses. His son, Richard Yates, a lawyer of Jack- 
sonville, 111., has inherited his father's keen and vigor- 
ous intellect, energy and an attractive personality. He is 



23o 

now the United States Collector of luteinal Revenue i'l'i' 
the Jacksonville District, and is one of the most popular 
youn;^ politicians in the state. 

*Richard J. Oglesby, a young lawyer of ability 
was there, and had just been elected the Colonel of the 
Eighth regiment. He soon won distinction as a brave 
and efficient soldier, and was made a Aiajor General at 
the end of two years service, was twice elected Governor 
of his state, and served one term as United States Sena- 
tor. His strong and active mind, tireless energy, and ex- 
cellent judgment combined with a rare talent as an im- 
pressive orator, and a frank, genial and generous dis- 
position made him one of the most generally })opular 
men in the state. 

Ben M, Prentiss, an ex-Captain of the Mexican war 
was elected the Colonel of the Tenth regiment and was 
soon after elected Brigadier General of the six regiments 
just organized, over his competitor Captain Pope of the 
regular army. His splendid conduct at the battle of 
Shiloh while in command of a division, gave him great 
renown, and a Major General's commission. 

Owen Lovejoy, the member of Congress from the 
Princeton District, and the bold, fearless and aggressive 
abolitionist of former days, w'as there also with military 
aspirations, and having failed to gain the command of 
a regiment went to Missouri and performed staff service 
during the succeeding summer and fall. 

W. H. L. Wallace, the able and learned lawyer, was 
elected the Colonel of the Eleventh regiment. He rose 
rapidly, and as a Brigadier General commanded a 
division at Shiloh, where he was killed in battle. Gen. 
Grant afterwards spoke of him as the "splendid soldier." 

Colonel John McArthur, of the Washington Inde- 
pendent Regiment (militia,) of Chicago, was there, and 



♦Has recently died. 



236 

by his marshal bearing became a marked figure in the 
military circles. He was elected Colonel of the Twelfth 
regiment and soon rose to a Brigadier, and at the close 
of the war was appointed a Major General by brevet. 
His military career was marked throughout by rare 
intelligence, bravery and efficiency. 

At that time I made the acquaintance of Hon. Shel- 
by M. Cullom, who was the speaker of the House of 
Representatives. He was then young, well educated, 
clearheaded, a lawyer of ability and a trusted friend of 
Abraham Lincoln. He served in the legislature three 
terms and was twice chosen speaker of the House; was 
elected a member of Congress three times, Governor of 
the state, and United States Senator three times. No 
other citizen has ever received more favors from the peo- 
ple of the state than he. I regard Senator Cullom as one 
of the most remarkable men the state of Illinois has ever 
produced. All through his long career in public life he 
has shown himself possessed of great mental force, ex- 
celleiit judgment, industry and integrity, and is 
recognized as one of the most efficient, reliable and in- 
fluential members of the United States Senate. 

Senator Cullom's colleague in the Senate, is the Hon. 
William E. Mason, of Chicago, whom I have known for 
two decad(S, is a lawyer of learning and ability, whose 
experience in public affairs covers many years. In dis- 
position he is nearly the opposite of Senator Cullom. 
He has an ardent temperament an active and well train- 
ed intellect, quick mental perception, intense energy, and 
is aggressive and resourceful, and at times perhaps some- 
what impulsive and impatient of opposition. He is a 
ready debater and an eloquent orator, and possesses 
the elements of popularity viz. keen wit, vivacity and a 
cordial and attractive manner. 

I met Robert R. Hitt in 1858, when as a stenog- 



237 

rapher he was reporting the speeches of Abraham Lin- 
cohi in his noted debate with Stephen A Doughis. He 
is an "Illinois boy," and was educated at the Mount Mor- 
ris Seminary, in which school at an early time were 
Gen. Rawlins, Senator Cullom and Gen. Beveridge. He 
was appointed Secretary of Legation of the French Em- 
bassy during Mr. Washburne's second term as Embassa- 
dor. He has served as member of congress for the Ga- 
lena district for nearly twent}' years, and for a long time 
as chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Rela- 
tions, for which position he is so eminently qualified. 
Mr. Hitt has been a close student of events, has a strong 
and well balanced mind, much general intelligence, un- 
tiring energy, tact and persistency, which have made 
him one of the m-ist practical, useful and influential 
members of the House of Representatives. In manner 
he is courteous, genial and cordial. 

In the latter '50s I became acquainted with John 
A. Logan, a member of congress and a prominent and 
influential Democrat of Southern Illinois. He entered 
the volunteer service in 1861 as the colonel of an Illi- 
nois regiment and soon proved himself a brave, skillful 
and intrepid soldier, and before the end of the war was 
one of the most distinguished commanders in the army 
of the West. After the war he was elected to the United 
States senate, where he displayed superior ability as a 
statesman. He was the Republican candidate for Vice 
President in 1884. For nearly forty years Gen. Logan 
was a conspicuous figure among the distinguished men 
of the nation. His fine sy metrical physique, shapely 
and well-poised head, long straight black hair, swarthy 
complexion, heavy mustache, dark piercing eyes and a 
strong and handsome face made his personality strik- 
ing. He possessed a strong intellect, quick mental 
perception, great will force, untiring energy, decided con- 



238 

victioiis and tenacit} of purpose. He was at times im- 
pulsive and a little brusque in manner, but usually 
courteous, genial and gracious. After the war he was 
exceptionally popular with the array veterans and was 
elected and served one year as commander-in-chief of 
the Grand Army of the Republic. 

Benjamin H. Grierson, the famous raider of the 
Army of the Tennessee, I knew well during the civil 
war. He possessed some rare qualities as a soldier, and 
especially as a commander of cavalry, and his untiring 
energy, vigilance, discrimination, pluck and persistency 
won for him a Brigadier's commission after his brilliant 
raid through Mississippi to Baton Rouge, La., and later 
that of a Major General. After his successful raid he 
was a conspicuous figure in the army of the West. In 
1866 he was appointed Colonel of cavalry in the United 
States army, where he served principally in Texas, New 
Mexico and Arizona with great efficiency until his re- 
tirement a few years ago. He was brevetted a Brigadier 
and a Major General in the United States army for con- 
spicuous efficiency in several campaigns against the In- 
dians. His home is now at Jacksonville, 111. He is still 
in robust health and his genial and gracious manner 
makes him a delightful companion, for he retains to a 
remarkable degree all the qualities of head and heart 
which made him a general favorite in the army. 

Frederick Dent Grant, the oldest son of Gen. U. S. 
Grant, T knew in Galena when a schoolboy in the early 
'60s. He received a military education at West Point, 
and before the close of the war served for a brief period 
on his father's staff as an aide. He resigned his com- 
mission in the army at the close of his father's second 
terra as President and engaged in civil pursuits. In the 
'80s he was appointed United States Embassador to Aus- 



239 

tria, where he won the reputation of being a careful, 
practical, intelligent and etficient representative and was 
held in high esteem in the diplomatic circles at 
Vienna. Colonel Grant has inherited much of his 
father's strong mentality, good judgment and tenacity of 
purpose. I was gratified with the action of President 
McKinley in af)pointing him a Brigadier General of vol- 
unteers in the late Spanish- American war. I hope he 
will remain in the service, for I believe, should an op- 
portunity present itself or an emergency arise, he would 
show himself possessed of a high order of military abil- 
ity, especially in strategy, which was his father's forte. 

Of the many prominent politicians I have known 
in the state of Wisconsin during the past forty years, 
Jeremiah M. Rusk was one of the most distinguished. 1 
knew him in the latter '50s, when he was a young law- 
yer practicing his profession in the town of Viroqua in 
Western Wisconsin. He was a tall, broad-shouldered, 
unassuming, courteous young man of excellent habits. 
In 1862 he entered the volunteer service as Major of the 
Twenty-tifth Wisconsin infantry, became its Lieutenant 
Colonel, and at the close of the war was brevetted a Brig- 
adier General for meritorious service at Vicksburg. Soon 
after he was elected Bank Comptroller of the state and 
then member of congress and served three terms. He 
declined the appointment of United States Minister to 
Paraguay and Uraguay, S. A. In 1882 he was elected 
governor of the state and re-elected twice, serving three 
^consecutive terms. His administration of affairs as gov- 
ernor was replete with acts in which he displayed excel- 
lent judgment, firmness, tact and efficiency. Later he 
was appointed Secretary of Agriculture at Washington, 
and filled the position with rare ability and discrimina- 
tion. During his long and varied career as a state and 
federal official he proved himself exceptionally capable, 



210 

and was conscientious in the discharge of his duties. 
Governor Rusk was a quiet, dignified gentleman of great 
simplicity of character, and of a most kindly disposition. 

I became acquainted with the Hon. Horatio C. 
Burchard during the political campaign of 1858. He 
was a lawyer of learning, who had lo ;ated in Freeport, 
HI., some years before, and had associated himself for 
[)ractice with the Hon. Thomas J. Turner, a lawyer of 
recognized ability and an ex member of congress. Mr. 
Burchard, as a Republican, was influential in his party. 
He was twice elected a member of the legislature and 
took a high position as an able legislator, especialy on 
matters pertaining to finance. In the latter '60s he was 
elected to congress to succeed the Hon. E. B. Washburne, 
who had resigned to assume the duties of Secretary of 
State under President Grant, and served four consecu- 
tive terms. Not long after leaving congress he was ap- 
pointed Director of the United States Mint at Washing- 
ton, D. C, and filled the position sev:;n years with ex- 
cepti'.)nal ability and efficiency. The position made him 
virtually the director general of all the mints and assay 
officers of the United States. In 1885 he was appointed 
by Governor Oglesby a member of the revenue commis- 
sion to draft and report a plan for a revision of the reve- 
nue laws of the state. Throughout his long career as an 
official he showed him.3elf most capable, especially in 
matters connected with finance and revenue, and 
achieved a high reputation as a statesman. In disposi- 
tion he is unassuming, cordial, kind-hearted and com- 
panionable. He always kept near the people and was 
poj)ular with them to an eminent degree. 

John H. Addams was a prominent figure in Steph- 
enson County, Illinois for over a quarter of a century 
before his death. He was an extensive farmer, operated 
a grist mill and for many years was the President of the 



241 

•Second National Bank of Freeport. He was tall, digni- 
fied and courteous, unassuming in manner, and gener- 
ous and kinddiearted in disposition. He i)Ossessed great 
will force, excellent judgment, much practical intelli- 
gence and administrative ability. He filled various 
offices of trust in the county, and served sixteen years in 
the state senate, making a notable record as a careful, 
conscientious and conservative legislator. He was held 
in high esteem by the people of his Senatorial district. 
In the latter years of his life he was known as "Honest 
John Addams." I loved him for his many admirable 
traits of character. 

Another resident of Northern niinois, Allen C. Ful- 
ler, of Boone county, a lawyer and circuit judge, was a 
conspicuous figure in political circles for a third of a 
century before his retirement in the '80s. He was an 
early Republican, and in 1860, as an elector, held joint 
debates in the electorial district with John A. Rawlins, 
(afterwards General and Secretary of War,) who was a 
Douglas Democrat. He was appointed in 1862 Adjutant 
General of the state by Governor Yates to succeed Col. 
T. S. Mather who had resigned to accept the Colonelsy 
of a regiment of artillery. Gen. Fuller proved a most 
efficient officer, having good judgment, a thorough 
knowledge of his duties, firmness, energy and discrimi- 
nation. Later he served as a member of the Legislature 
and was speaker of the House. He was a lawyer of 
ability, had large experience in state affairs, and it seems 
to me that his party should have recognized his ability 
and valuable services to the state by nominating him in 
the '80s for Governor. His son, Gharles E. Fuller, of 
the same county, also a lawyer, has his father's strong 
and vigorous mentality and has represented his senatorial 
district in the Legislature for many years with distin- 
guished ability. 



242 

Mr. Waite Talcott, of Rockford, Winnebago county, 
one of its early settlers, was a man of much force of char- 
acter, who in 1854 was elected as a Freesoiler to the State 
Senate, served one term and made a most creditable 
record. During his forty years residence in the county 
he became closely identified with its material, moral, 
religious and social interests, and impressed himself upon 
its people as being a clear headed, conscientious, public 
spirited, Christian citizen. 

Judge William Lathrop, a lawyer of exceptional 
learning and ability has been a resident of Rockford for 
nearly two score years and been regarded as one of its 
foremost citizens. Some years ago he represented the 
Rockford District in Congress for one term and won dis- 
tinction as an industrious, intelligent and efficient 
representative. He has done much as a public spirited 
citizen during all these years in advancing the best in- 
terests of the people of that city and county. 

Before closing these brief sketches I must not omit 
to mention my esteemed friend and neighbor. Colonel 
LeGrand W. Perce, a learned and able lawyer of the 
Chicago bar. His record in the civil war was a credit- 
able one, and after its close settled in the state of 
Mississippi. He was twice elected to Congress, and in 
the early '70s removed to Chicago where he practiced his 
profession. For some time he was an active and influen- 
tial politician. He made corporation law a specialty, 
and now stands deservedly high as a corporation lawyer. 
Col. Perce, born and educated in one of the Atlantic 
states, possesses much natural ability, a strong and well 
trained mind, industry and energy, and in manner 
is unassuming, courteous and cordial. 



CHAPTER XI. 



THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION 1893. 

The great World's Columbian Exposition which 
celebrated the four hundredth anniversary of Christopher 
Columbus' discovery of America was held in Chicago in 
1893. It was one of the grandest enterprises undertaken 
and executed in modern times. I quote briefly from 
the address of the Hon. William T. Baker, President of 
the Chicago Board of Trade, and President of the Chi- 
cago Local Directory, at the formal opening of the 
Columbian Exposition May 12th, 1893. "The act of 
Congress approved April 25th, 1890, providing for the 
Exposition states in ihe })reamble that such an exhibi- 
tion should be of a national and international character, 
so that not only the people uf our Union and this conti- 
nent, but those of all nations as well can participate, and 
to carry out this intention. Congress provided two 
agents to do its will. The first is a commission, consist- 
ing of two commissioners from each state and territory of 
the United States, appointed by the President, on the 
nomination of the Governors of the states and territories 
respectively, and eight commissioners at large, appoint- 
ed by the President. The Board so constituted was 
designated the "World's Columbian Commission." 

The other agent, recognized by the act of Congress is 
the World's Columbian Exposition, a corporation organ- 
ized under the laws of the state of Illinois. This cor- 
poration has charge of the ways and means, the erection 
of buildings, the maintenance, protection and policing of 



2U 

the same, tlie granting of concessions, the collection and 
disV)ni'j^ement of all its revenues, and fixing the rules 
governing the Exposition. It is composed of ui)\vard of 
2,800 stockholders and is controlled by a Board of 
forty-five directors. These directors have been chosen 
from among the active business men of Chicago." 

In order tiiat the city of Chicago might enjoy the 
honor conferred upon her by having the Exposition 
located in her midst, she was required to furnish an ade- 
quate site acceptable to the National Commission and 
^10,000,000 in money, which was, in the language of the 
act, considered necessary for the complete pre[)aration for 
said Ex|)osition. This obligation the citizens promptly 
met. The adequate site and $10,000,000 were provided, 
and on evidence thereof, the President of the United 
States issued his proclamation inviting the nations of the 
earth to participate in the Exposition. 

When the matter was first discussed in (Jhicago by 
public spirited citizens in the latter })art of 1890, com- 
paratively few had faitli to believe that Chicago could 
succeed in getting the Exposition, with New York city 
as a competitor. An organization was however effected, 
in which were many of Chicago's wealthiest and most 
enterprising citizens. A large and efficient local com- 
mittee was ap})ointed, and for over a year systematic, far 
reaching and effective work was accomplished in obtain- 
ing subscriptions toward the $10,000,000 required, and 
in securing the votes of Members of Congress fixing the 
site of the Exposition at Chicago. 

Previous to any action on the part of Congress fix- 
ing the site of the Exposition, a committee or delegation 
of Chicago citizens was sent to Washington to look after 
Chicago's interests. The secretary of the local commit- 
tee, E. F. Cragin, had gone to Washington in advance of 
the committee. Mr. Cragin, who in Chicago had been 



245 

most efficient in his energetic and methodical work, con- 
tinued it in Washington, and the final success in Con- 
gress was largely due to his industry and tact. I was to 
have gone to Washington with tiie sul)-committee, but 
ill health prevented me. The vote in Congress giving to 
Chicago the location of the Ex[)osition was a great sur- 
prise, especially to New York, which city confidently ex- 
pected to get it. 

After the location of the C-olumbian Exposition the 
local Board of Directors of forty -five was elected by the 
stockholders. The members were of Chicago's very best 
men, in point of experience, administrative ability and 
clear business perception. It was composed in part of 
such men as W. T. Baker, President of the Board; H. N. 
Higinbotham, who was chosen President of the Board 
the second year; Hon. T. B. Bryan, the Vice President; A. 
F. Seeberger, the Treasurer; W. K. Ackerman, the Audi- 
tor; F. W. Peck, Chairman of the Committee on Finance; 
Hemp. Washburne, Mayor; Lyman J. Gage, James W. 
Scott, Potter Palmer, E. G. Keith, Charles Henrotin, 
Adoiph Nathan, James W. Ellsworth, A. H. Revell, 
Charles H. Schwab, Washington Porter, Otto Young, W. 
D. Kerfoot, S. W. Allerton, Charles E. Hutchinson, Eu- 
gene S. Pike, Arthur Dixon and George Schneider. 

Colonel George R. Davis, ex-Member of Congress, 
whom I had known in Chicago for twenty years, was 
chosen by the National Commissioners as Director Gen- 
eral. The choice was an eminently wise one. Another, 
writing of him, says: "His record in public affairs de- 
cided the selection. He has a wonderful knowledge of 
human nature, is well versed in the affairs of the world, 
and, it is said, he possesses that subtle tact which is often 
called dii)lomacy, with keen perception and comprehen- 
sive views he handles the multiform forces that are sub- 
ject to his orders without blundering, and executes his 



24(5 

tasks with rare ability." He filled the difhcult position 
most satislactoril}', performing his arduous and compli- 
cated duties in a masterful manner. 

William T. Baker, the President of ihe local Board 
of Directors, was the embodiment of energy, practical 
common sense and efficiency. The same mty be said of 
H. N. Higinbotham, who succeeded him as President. 
Mr. T. B. Bryan throughout showed himself a sagacious, 
forceful and discriminating man of affairs. His great 
work, however, was done in assisting to secure the loca- 
tion of the Exposition. His address before the Congres- 
sional committee on the Columbian Exposition when 
presenting Chicago's claims, where he met the great 
orator, Chauncey Depew, who was doing the same thing 
for New York, was a powerful, ingenious and convincing 
effort, and did much towards securing for Chicago the 
site of the Exposition. 

Under ihe direct management of the local Board of 
Directors and the indirect management of the National 
Board of Commissioners of which ex-United States Sen- 
ator J. W. Palmer of Michigan, was President, and the 
Hon. J. T. Dickinson, the energetic and efficient Secre- 
tary, the success of the Exposition was the wonder of the 
world. Its location on the shore of the great Lake Mich- 
igan was unique and most favorable, the buildings con- 
structed were surprisingly grand and beautiful, and the 
exhibits so varied and extensive that it seemed as if 
there was not a green spot on the earth that had not 
something there to represent it. There will be many 
World's Fairs or Expositions in the future. France will 
have one in 1900, and no expense will be spared to make 
it the grandest the "sun ever shone upon." It is my 
opinion, however, that there will never again be such a 
wonderful World's Fair or Exposition as the one that was 
held in Chicago in 1893. 



247 

Another potent factor in making the World's Colum- 
bian Exposition of 1893 such a pronounced success was 
the Woman's Department, controlled and managed b}-^ 
som? of the brainiest and m )st practical women of our 
country. A department in a World's Fair to be man- 
aged solely by women was an innovation, and many 
doubted its feasibility. A National Board of Women 
Commissioners, two from each state and territory, and a 
local Board of Commissioners, consisting of nine women, 
were appointed. The Board of National Commissioners 
met in Chicago and organized by electing Mrs. Potter 
Palmer of Chicago, President, and Mrs. Ralph Traut- 
man of New York city, First Vice President The choice 
of these officers was a most judicious one, especiall}- that 
of Mrs. Palmer for President. Mrs. Palmer did not seek 
the office, for she distrusted her ability to fill the respons- 
ible position, but from the time she took the chair as 
President and delivered her address of acceptance to the 
end of her long and arduous administration,. it was evi- 
dent to all the commissioners that they had made a most 
wise selection. Inexperienced as she was in presiding 
over a large deliberative body and in the management 
of important and complicated business affairs, she made 
no mistake, but proved herself a woman of great intel- 
lectual force, energy, tact, keen discrimination and of 
almost unerring judgment. When her great work had 
been completed, she was one of the most widely known 
and greatly admired women in the world. 

The local Board of Commissioners, composed of 
such women as Mrs. Colonel James A. Mulligan, Mrs. 
Sol. Thatcher, Mrs. Gen. M. R. M. Wallace, Mrs. Gen. A. 
L. Chetlain. Dr. Frances Dickenson, Mrs. L. Brace]|Shat- 
tuck, Mrs. Myra Bradwell, Mrs. George L. Dunlap, Mrs. 
Matilda B. Carse and Mrs. James R. Doolittle, was a 
most efficient one. All its members possessed zeal, good 



248 

judgment and executive force and were unremitting in 
their efforts to make the Woman's Department a suc- 
cess. Mrs. Palmer, the President of the Board of Na- 
tional Commissioners, fully appreciated the efficient 
services rendered by the Local Board, as she did also the 
valuable work and advice of such able women as Mrs. 
Gen. Logan, Mrs. Gov. J. J. Bagley, and Mrs. S. S. C. 
Angell,of Michigan, Mrs. Gov. R. J. Oglesby, Mrs. W. 
P. Lynde, of Wisconsin, Mrs. F. B. Clarke, of Minnesota. 
Mrs. Trautmann, of New York, and other members of 
the National Board who spent much time in Chicago, 
while prosecuting their work. 

There grew out of the Columbian Exposition an in- 
stitution in Chicago wdiich in time will be noted not only 
in this, but in all other civilized countries. I refer to the- 
"Field Columbian Museum" started and upheld thus far 
largely by the munificent generosity of the "Merchant 
Prince," Marshal Field, long known in Chicago as a 
man of keen intellect and superior administrative ability. 

A few years before the World's Columbian Exposi- 
tion was held in Chicago a number of public spirited 
citizens started a movement to found in that city an Art 
Institute, believing that it was needed in the metropolis 
of the northwest. The leader in the movement was the 
com})aratively young financier, Charles L. Hutchinson, 
the son of R. P. Hutchinson, the famous Board of Trade 
member and extensive operator of a score of years ago. 
Young Hutchinson entered the project with zeal and 
energy, and backed by his wealth, was a potent factor in 
making it a success. He is forceful and far sighted as a 
a man of affairs, morally high-toned and one of the best 
poised characters I ever knew. He has as an earnest co- 
worker, Martin A. Ryerson, a man much like himself, 
highly educated, enthusiastic and wealthy, who, besides 
being scholarly is a great lover of art. A magnificent 



249 

and substantial building was erected on the Lake Front 
for the uses of the Institute. The holding of the 
Columbian Exposition in Chicago gave it an impetus. 
Its management is admirable. Charles L. Hutchinson 
is the President of a Board of twenty-two directors com- 
posed of some of Chicago's most enterprising and sa- 
gacious citizens. James H. Dole, the Vice-President of 
the Board, is an old time prominent businessman, whose 
activity as a director virtually makes him the general 
manager, for which position he is well qualified, having 
been an artist of considerable reputation in his early 
manhood. He has energy, tact and administrative abil- 
ity of a high order. 

W. R. French, long recognized in Chicago as an 
artist of unusual merit is the active Director of the 
Institution. He possesses great energy and acute dis- 
crimination. One of the Directors who gives much of 
his time in assisting the management is Ciiarles W. Ful- 
lerton, the son of one of Chicago's early and prominent 
citizens, who has large business experience and artistic 
taste. Mr. Fullerton has recently donated a sum 
sufficient to construct a large lecture hall to be known as 
the "Fullerton Memorial Hall" in memory of his father, 
the late Alex. N. Fullerton. The Executive Committee 
of the Board of Directors is composed of C. L. Hutchin- 
son, James H. Dole, Albert A. Sprague, Chas. H. Hamill, 
Gen. J. C. Black, Martin A. Ryerson and William T. Baker. 
The Art Institute under the judicious management of 
a body of such men cannot fail to be a success. 



CHAPTER XIJ. 



NOTED WOMEN Of CHICAGO. 

Chicago has a number of women of strong intellect, 
broadly educated, of advanced ideas and of much will 
force, which have made their influence felt far and wide. 
In the latter '70s Mrs. Kate Newell Doggett was a leader 
in the literary circles of Chicago, the founder of the 
Fortnightly Club of Chicago, and was its President until 
her death. She was a woman of exceptional culture, 
great energy, and had largely what the French call the 
savour faire. 

About that time Miss Frances E. Willard began to be 
generally known as an advanced educator, editor, and a 
writer of ability. She vvas in the lecture field, and was 
at the head of the Woman's Christian Union, the leader 
of the White Cross Union, and later the President of the 
American branch of the National Council of Women, 
and of the World's Christian Temperance Union, which 
she bad organized. She was a prolific writer, and the 
author of several books. Before her death, which oc- 
curred last year, (1898,) she was recognized as one of the 
strongest characters the last half of the 19th century had 
produced in the United States. The work of the last 
twenty years of her life was a great one, especially as an 
educator and reformer. 

Mrs. My ra Brad well in an entirely different field of 
effort had achieved a wide reputation as a learned lawyer 
and the able and discriminating editor of the "Legal 
News" of Chicago before Miss Willard had become gen- 



251 

erally known. She possessed great mental force and 
much positive strengtli of clmracter. 

The Fortnightly Club was organized over 20 years 
ago, and it soon brought together many of the brightest 
and most cultured women of Chicago. The Clul) or 
Society was in some respects a literary training school 
of a high order, and many of the carefully prepared 
papers read before it by its members were unsurpassed 
in point of ability. The World's Columbian Exposition 
of 1893 with its Congress of nations, its Congress of 
religions and the great work wrought by its Woman's 
Department, gave an impetus to woman to become an 
active |)articipant in the great field of thought and 
action. 

Mrs. Potter Palmer, to whom I have already alluded 
in connection with her remarkable work in the Woman's 
department of the Columbian Exposition was a member 
of the Fortnightly Club and had there displayed rare 
ability as a writer. 

Dr. Sarah Hackett Stephenson, for nearly a quarter of 
a century a resident of Cliicago, is widely known not only 
as a skillful practitioner, but also as a popular lecturer. 
She has intellectual force, energ}', rare practical intelli- 
gence, broad and advanced views of social and moral 
questions and withal is a read}^ and impressive speaker. 

Mrs. Charles Henrotin, for some time the efficient 
President of the General Federation of Woman's Clubs, 
was active during the Columbian Exposition in the two 
Congresses alluded to, and was the Vice-President of the 
Woman's branch of the Congress auxiliary of the 
Columbian Exposition. She possesses a keen and well 
trained intellect, intense energy, tact and administrative 
ability, is a pleasing and forcible speaker, of cordial 
manner, and a kind and amiable disposition. 

Dr. Julia Holmes Smith, who has [)racticed her pro- 



252 

fessioii in Chicago many years, is a careful student of 
events, has wide general information, will force, energy 
and executive ability. She served with efficiency as a 
Trustee of the University of Illinois. 

Mrs. J. M. Flower is more of a reformer and 
humanitarian than any other of the distinguished women 
I have named. She has intellectual force, rare intelli- 
gence, untiring energy and excellent judgment, which 
cjualities fit her to govern a state. Her work for years 
in endeavoring to ameliorate the condition of the poor 
and unfortunate, including the criminal class in the 
county jails, police stations, etc., has been a great one and 
not destitute of good results. She has filled the position 
of Trustee of the University of Illinois acceptably. 

Miss Jane Addams, is the efficient manager of that 
unique institution, "The Hull House Social Settlement," 
patterned after Toynbee Hall, the first settlement which 
was founded in London about fifteen years ago, which 
has been running under her management for a half 
score of years in the heart of the city of Chicago, efi'ected 
great good in a novel but practical way. Its charter 
states that the objects of the Hull House are "to provide 
a center for a higher civil and social life, to institute and 
maintain educational and philanthropic enterprises and 
to investigate and improve the conditions in the in- 
dustrial district of Chicago." Miss Addams has a strong 
and well trained mind, is intensely energetic and of 
sound judgment, who as a social reformer uses methods 
which are unusual. Not long since upon her own solici- 
tation she was appointed Health Inspector of one of the 
worst districts in the city, and served one term most 
efficiently and acceptably. She is an attractive speaker 
and is often seen in the pulpit, and on the platform as a 
lecturer. She is the daughter of the Hon. John H. 
Addams, of Stephenson county. III, who was a farmer, 



253 

manufacturer and banker, and a State Senator for sixteen 
years. 

There are other women in Chicago who possess 
unusual mental force, excellent judgment, effective en- 
ergy, acute discrimination and marked ability in man- 
aging affairs, such as Mrs. John N. .Jewett, former Presi- 
dent of the Fortnightly Club, Vice President-at-large for 
Illinois of the Daughters of the American Revolution 
and President of the Antiquarian Society of Chicago, 
and Mrs. Gen. M. R. M. Wallace, late President of the 
Woman's Club of Chicago and President of the National 
Relief Corps of the G. A. R. 

Mrs. George L. Dunlap, long prominent in benevo- 
lent and philanthropic work in the cit}' of Chicago, is a 
forceful character, and in her work pursues ])racti- 
cal lines. Her exceptional efficiency has always been 
recognized. During the Columbian Exposition she was 
the President of the Board of Women which constructed 
and managed the Children's building. 

Mrs. J. J. Glessner, a woman of strong mentality, 
many accomplishments and a well directed energy, 
founded, soon after the Columbian Exposition, the Anti- 
quarian Society of Chicago, and has long been a gener- 
ous and discriminating patron of music and art in Chi- 
cago. M^rs. J. Young Scammon, a woman of marked 
force of character, excellent judgment and practical in 
her methods, founded some years ago the Decorative Art 
Society of Chicago and has always been active in its 
management. 

Mrs. E. W. Blatchford, one of the most thoroughly 
sensible and practical Christian women of Chicago, some 
years ago, as a philanthropic work, organized the first 
kindergarten in the city. Kindergartens are now very 
numerous aud have become a part of our system of pub- 
lic schools. Miss Julia Lathrop, a woman of high liter- 



254 

ary attainments and an advanced reformer, is a mem- 
ber of tlie Illinois State Board of Charities. Mrs. Ma- 
tilda B. Carse, well known in the literary, charitable and 
humanitarian circles of Chicago, of exceptional will 
force and administrative ability, has for many years 
been prominently connected with the Woman's Christian 
Temperance Union, and is one of the Managing Board 
of the "Woman's Temple." 

Mrs. Cyrus McCormick Sr., a woman of rare culture 
and broad sympathies, has with munificent liberality 
and discrimination aided religious societies and educa- 
tional and charitable institutions in Chicago and else- 
where for many years; and Mrs. Lydia A. Coonley-Ward, 
strongly intellectual, effectively energetic, with broad 
views of moral and social questions, has long been a 
recognized conservative leader in reform and humani- 
tarian movements in Chicago. 

Mrs. Elizabeth A. Reed, of keen and well trained 
intellect, has written valuable books on Indian and Per- 
sian liteiature, and Miss Lillian Bell, the daughter of 
my esteemed army friend. Major W. W. Bell, has 
achieved a wide reputation bv her books, written with 
marked ability; and Mrs. Dr. Horace Wardner, of much 
culture and mental strength, a reformer and humanitar- 
ian, is a lecturer and writer of unusual force, and well 
known throughout the state. 

Mrs. Mary Hartwell Catherwood, of Hoopestown, 
111., who spends much of her time in Chicago and is well 
known in its literary clubs and circles, is a woman of 
high literary attainments and the author of nearly a 
half-score of books written since 1880. Her last books, 
"The Romance of Dollard," "The Bells of Ste Anne" and 
"The Storey of Tonti," have given her more than nation- 
al reputation. 



CHAPTER XIII. 



ARMY SOCIETIES, 

I have had much to do with soldiers' organizations 
since I located in Chicago over twenty-five 3'ears ago. I 
have been a member of the Society of the Army of the 
Tennessee, the oldest and largest of the societies of the 
different armies of the civil war. It was organized in 
North Carolina in 18(35, just before the close of the war, 
with Gen. John A. Rawlins as its President, Gen. A. Hick- 
enlooper, of the artillery arm of the service and after 
the war Lieutenant Governor of Ohio, as Corresponding 
Secretary, and Colonel L. M. Dayton of Gen. Sherman's 
staff, and after the war a prominent manufacturer of 
Cincinnati, as Recording Secretary. The qualifications 
for membership for commissioned officers, was creditable 
service in the Department or Army of the Tennessee. 
The society has held thirty meetings in various parts of 
the West since its organization. The meetings are in- 
tended to be held annually. After the death of Gen, 
Rawlins, Gen. Sherman was chosen President and served 
most acceptably until his death in 1883. His successor 
was Gen. G. M. Dodge of Iowa, the last corps com- 
mander appointed by him on his march to the sea, 
who still holds the position. The original Correspond- 
ing Secretary, Gen. A. Hickenlooper, still fills the place. 
He was a brave and exceptionally valuable officer, and 
is now a highly esteemed and influential citizen of Cin- 
cinnati. After the death of Colonel Dayton in 1891, 
Colonel Cornelius Cadle was elected Recording Secretary, 



256 

an officer with a most excellent record in the service, 
who possesses admirable qualifications for the somewhat 
arduous position he fills, viz: intelligence, industry and 
discrimination. 

The society, from its organization, at considerable 
cost, has kept a careful record of all its proceedings, 
giving in full all papers read and addresses made, which 
proceedings are printed in a bound volume every year 
for the use of its members. There is, therefore, in the 
records of the society thus kept, a mass of valuable his- 
torical information. Among the distinguished officers 
whose names are found on the roll of the society as 
members and who have died, are Generals Gram, Sher- 
man, Logan, Rawlins, Buckland, Corse, Gresham, Fisk, 
Leggett, McCook, Hurlbut, Rowett, Rowley, J. E. Smith, 
Rusk, Pope, Rice, Belknap and Blair. The roll of the 
society now shows a membership of less than 700. 

The Grand Army of the Republic was organized in 
Illinois in the early part of 1866. It has been one of 
the most remarkable organizations of ex-soldiers the 
world lias ever known. Out of the 2,000,000 men who 
volunteered to save the life of the nation and who served 
from three months to four years in the civil war, nearly 
one-fourth of whom were killed in battle or died from 
disease, over 300,000 of them, within a few years after 
the close of the war joined together and under solemn 
pledges formed a society or order, the objects of which 
were: First, to perpetuate the sacred memories of the 
war — second, to assist each other in the struggles of life 
— and third, for good fellowship. I became a member of 
the order in Illinois in 1866, and have always taken 
great pleasure in attending reunions, post meetings 
and "camp fires," where I have witnessed exhibitions of 
genuine romradeship. Probably four-fifths of this vast 
order is composed of men who served in the ranks. The 



257 

longer I live the more I am impressed with the idea that 
the man "who carried a gun," i. e., the enlisted man in 
the ranks, is deserving of more honor than liis fellow 
■citizen who, more fortunate than he, held a commission, 
be the rank high or low. All were patriotic, but the 
patriotism of the former always seemed to me a degree 
higher than that of the latter. Nearly all the officers 
who belong to the societies of the Arm}' of the Tennessee, 
the Potomac, the Cumberland, or of the Mititary order 
of the Loyal Legion, are also members of the Grand 
Army of the Republic. 

Over fifteen years ago there was organized by the 
wives and daughters of the members of tiie G. A. R., an 
•order connected with the G. A. R. and called the Veteran 
Relief Corps. Out of some 3,000 Posts in the United 
States there are very few without its relief corps. This 
addenda, formed and sustained by j)atriotic women, has 
done and is doing an amount of benevolent work that is 
incalculable, [ts principal work is relieving the neces- 
sities of the families of unfortunate members of the order, 
and in case of death to look after and care for the wid- 
ows and orphans. 

Other orders composed of former soldiers of the civil 
war have been organized and patterned after the G. A. R. 
Some fifteen years ago when the order of the G. A. R. was 
at low ebb, the society of our "Our Country's Defenders" 
was instituted, but its existence was brief. A few years 
ago another order, The Union Veteran Legion, was or- 
ganized with all the characteristics of the G. A. R. except 
that elegibility for membership requires a service of at 
least two years in the civil war. It has now numerous 
posts in the country, especially in the western states. 

The military order of the Loyal Legion of the 
United States, was instituted at Philadelphia in 1878. 
Its objects are to cherish the memories and associations 



258 

of the war waged in defense and indivisibility of the 
Republic; to strengthen the ties of fraternal fellowship 
and sympathy formed by companionship in arms, and 
to advance the best interests of the soldiers and sailors of 
the United States. Its principles and objects are not 
dissimilar to those of the "Order of the Cincinnati" in- 
stitution soon after the close of the Revolutionary war, 
of which Gen. George Washington was the first comman- 
der. The chief difference- was in the qualifications for 
membership. In the Order of the Cincinnati, no officer 
of less grade than a Lieutenant Colonel was eligible to 
membership. The Military Order of the Loyal Legion 
admits all commissioned officers or ex-officers of the army 
and navy from the highest to the lowest grade viz. that 
of Second Lieutenant, and is therefore of a more popular 
character. A good military record and an honorable 
life as a citizen are required. Membership is hereditary 
descending to the oldest of the male line or in default of 
male issue to the oldest in the collateral line. The son 
of a member when he becomes of age is eligible as a 
member of the second class, and at the death of his fath- 
er becomes a member of the first class. The Order of 
the Cincinnati has now four state commanderies, with 
members of the second and third generations. 

I was one of the fourteen members of the Order who 
instituted the Illinois Commandery in 1880. Gen. Phil. 
H. Sheridan was its first commander. There are now 
twenty state commanderies in the United States with a 
membership of about 8000. The order is not secret nor 
political, and only incidentally benevolent. 

We have on our rolls of membership ascompanions, 
Generals Grant, Hancock, Sherman, Sheridan, Hayes^ 
McClellan, Garfield, Logan, Meade, Burnside and Arthur, 
now numbered with the dead, and a long list of distin- 
guished commanders still living. The Illinois Com- 



259 

mandery which holds its meetings monthly in Chicago 
has a membership of about 700, nearly one-tenth of 
whom are members of the second, and of the first-class- 
by succession. Col. J. Mason Loomis succeeded Gen. 
Sheridan as commander, and served one year. Since- 
then a new commander has been elected every year. 
The last commander, Col. Charles W. Davis, died recent- 
ly before the end of his official term. He had been the 
Recorder of the Commandery for some ten years prior to 
1896, serving with great acceptance. Col. Davis had an 
exceptionally excellent war record, and was a gentleman 
of culture and rare good nature. His predecessor as 
Recorder was Captain Richard Robins, formerly of the 
United States army, who was elected at the organization 
of the Commandery, proved a most intelligent and 
efficient officer. The present Recorder, Captain R. H. 
Mason, is a lawyer of recognized ability, and of scholarly 
attainments, with an admirable reputation as a soldier,, 
and is highly esteemed by his companions. 

I have in preceding |)ages alluded to many of 
my army comrades, who are members of the Com- 
mandery. There are many more of whom I am very fond, 
having been drawn to them by the natural law of affinity. 
They are men whose records in the civil war are of un- 
surpassed excellence and of which any American patriot 
might well be proud. Among the number is Gen. Wal- 
ter C. Newberry, a citizen of large private affairs; Colonel 
Willi?' m L. Barnum; prominent in fire insurance circle& 
and an able business manager; Colonel Francis A. Rid- 
dle, a learned and successful law3'er; Major S. E. Barrett^ 
the sagacious and exceptionally successful manufacturer; 
Gen. J. H. Stibbs, United States Pension Examiner at 
Chicago; Major [. P. Rumsey, of the Board of Trade 
management; Captain James G. Everest, the efficient 
railroad special agent and United States commissioner 



260 

of the Vicksburg National cemetery; Gen. Milo S. Has- 
call, extensive operator in realties; Captain George H. 
Heafford, the popular railroad general passenger agent; 
Major W. L. B. Jenney, a civil and military engineer 
and a distinguished architect; Dr. J. Nevins Hyde, skill- 
ful in practice and of literary tastes; Gen. Charles 
W. Drew, a recognized authority in fire insurance and 
matters; Major Martin J. Russell, editor and a writer of 
ability; Captain Alfred T. Andreas, of literary taste and 
the publisher of the great history of Chicago; Major 
William E. Furness, learned as a lawyer and of high 
scholarly attainments; General Charles S. Bentley, mem- 
ber of the Board of Trade; Major Robert W. McClaugh- 
ry, reformer, and an authority on the management of 
penal institutions; Colonel Henry L. Turner, banker, 
scholar, and long prominently connected with the Illi- 
nois National Guards and colonel of the First regiment; 
Captain Ephraim A. Otis, a learned and successful law- 
yer and commander of the Illinois Commandery of the 
Loyal Legion; Captain E. B. Sherman, well known and 
able lawyer of the Chicago bar, and Dr. O. W. Nixon, of 
the editorial staff of the Chicago Daily Inter Ocean; 
Gen. Horace H. Thomas, ex-Speaker of the Legisla- 
ture of Illinois and now Uniied States Appraiser at the 
Port of Chicago; Captain Alonzo N. Reece, the clear- 
headed and successful merchant; Captain Sartell Pren- 
tice, an able lawyer and far sighted man of affairs; Col- 
onel Edgar D. Swain, the distinguished dental surgeon 
and long prominent in the Illinois National Guards; 
Captain Amos J. Harding, the intelligent and successful 
manager of fire insurance companies; Major Horatio L. 
Wait, the able lawyer, of literary taste and of recog- 
nized ability as a writer; Captain John McLarem, banker 
and a financier of recognized ability; Colonel Wilton A. 
Jenkins, active and successful in business; Dr. Edward 



261 

0. F. Roler, of exceptional skill in surgery; Captain Au- 
gust Busse, successful in business, and formerly known 
as the "fighting captain" of his regiment. Colonel Byron 
M. Callender, of the Chicago Board of Trade, and now 
retired; Captain Peter Hand, a successful business man; 
Captain Charles T. Boal, a man of large private affairs; 
Colonel Charles R. E. Koch, in business, and for many 
years identified with the Illinois National Guards and 
for some time the colonel of a regiment; Colonel Man- 
ning D. Birge, in active business; Major D. V. Purington, 
a prominent manufacturer, and Dr. Samuel C Plummer, 
an able and successful practitioner of Rock Island. 

Colonel Isaac Clemens, a lawyer and successful prac- 
titioner, former member of Congress and later United 
States Pension Agent at Chicago; Captain William C. 
Cadle in active business; Major Maurice J. McGrath, for 
many years superintendent of mails in the Chicago 
postoffice; Col. George S. Roper, the "sweet singer" of 
the Commandery, who recently died; Captain Norman 
Ream, retired capitalist; Captain James B. Goodman, one 
of Chicago's lumber "Barons;" Gen. Charles T. Hotch- 
kiss, active and successful in business; Col. John S. 
Cooper, a prominent lawyer of the Chicago bar; Major 
George Mason, proprietor of the Excelsior Iron Works; 
Dr. Horace Wardner, a distinguished practitioner, now 
virtually retired; Captain Theo. W. Letton, prominent in 
fire insurance circles; Major George L. Paddock, an able 
and distinguislied lawyer of the Chicago bar; Major John 
D. Crabtree, a judge on the circuit bench. Col. Thomas E. 
Milchrist, ex-United States District Attorne}' at Chicago; 
Major Lumley Ingledew, real estate operator; Charles F. 
Matteson, the distinguished dental surgeon; Major James 
M. Ball, in active business. Captain James T. McAuley, 
a former merchant, and now in life insurance, as a man- 
ager; Col. William A. McLean, capitalist, and Gen. Mar- 
tin D. Hardin, U. S. A., retired. 



262 

The three scores of young men who are members of 
the first and second classes are energetic, intelligent, and 
of good habits, who give promise of making excellent 
citizens and prove "worthy sons of noble sires " Many 
of them have already taken high positions in business 
affairs, and in the professions a few have achieved dis- 
tinction. 



CHAPTER XIV 



THE DOMINION Of CANflDA. 

Ill the early part of 1894 I spent several months in 
Montreal. During ray stay there I devoted my leisure 
time to the study of the Dominion of Canada. I was 
surprised to find how little I knew about ihat vast coun- 
try lying contiguous to the United States and greatly 
surpassing it in area. Its arable lands, good, bad and 
indifferent, lying west of Lake Winnipeg and the 
Red River to the Rocky mountains, are estimated at 
150,000,000 acres. The eastern part of the area is of un- 
surpassed fertility. If only one-third of this area, the 
part best adapted for the growth of wheat and other 
small grains, were cultivated and the yield put down at 
ten bushels of wheat per acre, the aggregate would be 
500,000,000 bushels, an amount equal to the entire wheat 
crop of the United States. Should this great area of 
wheat lands be added to that of the United States, the 
total yield would be sufficient to supply the markets of 
the world. 

Some fifteen years ago I joined a party of capitalists 
and visited Manitoba. While in Winnipeg we called 
upon the Hon. Mr. Couchon, the Governor of the Prov- 
ince of Manitoba, to pay him our respects. The ques- 
tion of wheat growing was discussed, and the Governor 
brouglitoul a small bag containing some two quarts of 
wheat, which was a sample of that grown on land 1,500 
miles in a direct line northwest of Winnipeg, at the 
headwaters of the McKenzie river. The wheat was well 



264 

matured, large and plump. I state this fact to show hov\r 
far northwest wheat can be successfully grown on this 
continent. 

A charter has been obtained from the Parliament of 
Canada for the construction of a railway from Winni- 
peg to Fort York on the Hudson Bay called the Winni- 
peg & Great Northern railway. The length will be less 
than 700 miles. The intention of the projectors is to 
carry wheat to Fort York, store it in large elevators and 
ship it to Great Britain and Northern Europe during the 
two or three months of summer when the Hudson strait 
is open. 

I learned another thing that interested me, viz: that 
the extensive territory of the Dominion lying south and 
east of the Hudson Bay to within a hundred and fifty 
miles northwest of the great valley of the St. Lawrence 
river and Lake Ontario and say two hundred miles west 
of the Atlantic coast in Labrador, had never been ex- 
plored and was a terra incognita. This vast tract is well 
watered by some six or seven large rivers which flow into 
the Hudson bay from the south and east. A portion of 
this territory in Labrador, lying west of the Atlantic 
coast for two or three hundred miles, has recently been 
explored by a competent corps of scientific men appoint- 
ed by the government. In this vast unexplored region 
geologists and mining experts believe that coal, iron and 
copper exists in large quantities, and that lands suscepti- 
ble of cultivation and well adapted for grazing purposes 
will be found. 

Another thing interested me, and that was the pro- 
duction of iron found in shallow lakes and dry bogs at 
the base of the range of the Laurentian mountains, simi- 
lar to the Swedish iron, so largely imported in the United 
States, and extensively used for the manufacture of car 
wheels. The iron is smelted with charcoal and can be 



265 

produced with profit only in a region wliere wood is 
abundant. Nearly 200 years ago some French mission- 
aries began at Radnor on the St. Maurice river to smelt 
this ore in crude furnaces, producing two to three tons of 
pig iron a day. A few years ago a syndicate was formed 
to develope this industry of which George E. Drummond, 
Thomas J. Drummond, and J. T. McCall, of Montreal, 
iron manufacturers and dealers in imported and domes- 
tic metals, Thomas Griffin, an extensive manufacturer of 
car wheels in Chicago, and E. H. Griffin, a capitalist of 
Buffalo, N. Y., with a few capitalists of London, England, 
composed the syndicate, known as the "Canada Iron 
Furnace Company, Limited." It bought the old French 
plant with 100,000 acres of timber land, lying in the 
Laurentian mountains near Radnor and up the St. 
Maurice river. It began at Radnor, the manufacture of 
pig iron on a large scale by improved methods of smelt- 
ing. For some years the daily output of the Radnor 
Forges of the "Canada Iron Furnace Co.," has been from 
forty to fifty tons. This iron known as "bog iron" is 
found in various localities along the base of the Lauren- 
tian mountains which fringe the great valley of the St. 
Lawrence river from Quebec south westward for 500 
miles. Much of the pig iron is sold in Great Britain 
where it will soon supplant the Swedish iron. 

The construction of the great highway, the Canadian 
Pacific railroad, across the continent, has greatly in- 
creased the carrying trade across the Atlantic and has 
proved a benefaction to all lower Canada. The entire 
system is admirably managed, the credit being due to 
the forceful energy, good judgment and practical methods 
employed by its President, William C. Van Home, who 
by the by is a product of Illinois, if not of C hicago. In 
the latter '50s or early '60s, a 3'oung man living in 
Joliet, 111., obtained a position as brakeman of a freight 



266 

train on a railro id running into Chicago. By industry 
and close application to his duties he rose step by step 
tintil he became an assistant manager of the Chicago & 
Alton railroad. His great energy and acute discrimina- 
tion was recognized by all railroad men. When the 
Canadian Pacifij railroad needed a clear head to manage 
its extensive affairs its Board of Directors chose William 
•C. Van Home as its President. He soon proved himself 
:not only capable and efficient, but exceptionally so. A 
few years ago at the request of the Government of Can- 
ada, Queen Victoria knighted him, and he has since been 
Sir William C. Van Home. It is said that his old friend, 
the distinguished veteran railroad "King," T. B. Black- 
stone, President of the Chicago & Alton railroad, has the 
credit of having first discovered the genuine worth as a 
railroad operator of the "Illinois boy," and taught him 
many valuable lessons in railroad management. T. G. 
Shaughnessy, the former General Manager of the road 
and now its Vice-President, is a product of Wisconsin. 
His father was a contractor in Milwaukee, and like his 
superior officer. Van Home, he began his career at the 
foot of the ladder on Wisconsin railroads. He is the 
■embodiment of energy, industry and efficiency with a 
thorough knowledge of the details of railroad manage- 
ment. 

One thing should immediately be done by the gov- 
ernment of Canada, and that is the enlargement and 
deepening to twenty feet the Welland and other canals, 
which would give an impetus to the carrying trade of 
the Great Lakes. Before my visit to Montreal I believed 
that the greater part of the intelligent people of 
Lower Canada favored annexation to the United States. 
To my surprise, I found that not one in five favored it. 
As a general thing, the greater the intelligence of the 
person the more decided the opposition to the scheme of 



267 

annexation. I was told that in Upper Canada a greater 
proportion of the people favored annexation. 

The banking system of Canada interested me. The 
great Bank of Montreal, with its SI 2,000,000 chartered 
capital and nearly two-thirds as much more as a sur{)lus 
which is used as capital, is not a national money institu- 
tion like the Bank of England, but it does all the busi- 
nes of the government of the Dominion. It has some 
forty to fifty branches in the Dominion and some half- 
dozen in the United States, two being on the Pacific 
coast, at San Francisco and Portland, Ore., respectively. 
The bank is conducted on sound banking [)rinciples and 
follows conservative and safe lines. Although unlike 
the Bank of England, it stands in Canada much as does 
the Bank of England in Greai Britain. 

I spent the summer of 1895 in Lower Canada and 
made a tour in the lake region of the Laurentian mount- 
ains northwest of Montreal, where, in its numerous small 
lakes and streams, the speckled trout are found in great 
numbers. I met there, and in the villages and hamlets 
at the base of the mountains, many of the early settlers 
of French origin called "habitants." They speak an im- 
perfect French, which is almost a "patois" and not en- 
tirely intelligible to the Frencinnan. Nearly all, how- 
ever, speak a peculiar English or dialect almost as 
marked as that of the Creoles of Louisiana. I became 
very much interested in that singular people, usually 
well-to-do, who number nearly a million in Canada, and 
whose habits, customs and mode of living have changed 
very little in two hundred years. As is always the case 
with such peopte, they have cherished legends and tradi- 
tions, many of the former being full of romance. 

Dr. William H. Drummond, F. R. S., of Montreal, 
who spent, while fishing and hunting, much of his early 
life among the "habitants" of Lower Canada, has within 



268 

the past few years collected many of their legends and 
traditions, which, with descriptions of their habits, cus- 
toms, mode of living, manners, sentiments and supersti- 
tions, after having with great ingenuity and labor form- 
ulated, or rather created their dialect, put them into a 
volume of poems, "The Habitant, and other French- 
Canadian Poems." The book was issued less than two 
years ago, and he has done for the "habitants" of Canada 
what Harriet BeecherStowe and others did for the blacks 
of the South, and what George W. Cable has done for the 
Creoles of Louisiana, especially in their dialect. Dr. Drum- 
mond's book caused something of a sensation in Canada, 
and its sale there, in Great Britain and in the United 
States has been exceptionally large. Dr. Louis Frech- 
ette, the French poet laureate of Canada, when writing 
of Dr. Drummond and his work, says: "If ever any one 
in Canada has deserved the title of 'Pathfinder of a new 
land of song,' it assuredly is he. 

EOCKFORD, ILLINOIS. 

I lived in Rockford in 1866 for nearly a year after 
leaving the army, and became well acquainted with the 
history of the place and most of its leading citizens. The 
city is the seat of Winnebago county, built on both sides 
of Rock river, which gives it a splendid water power. 
It is conceded to be the most beautiful city in the state, 
has a population of over 35,000, and has long been 
known as the "Forest City." The land in the county is 
of unsurpassed fertility. The town was founded in the 
early '40s, and was fortunate in having as early settlers 
men of mental force, energy and of great public spirit, 
who did much in its early days toward develop- 
ing its resources and starting it on its career of pros- 
perity. For over a quarter of a century it has been 
one of the most important manufacturing centers in the 



369 

state and a thoroughl}' up-to-date city, with its extensive 
system of electric surface railways, splendid waterworks, 
electric street lights, well-paved streets, three daily news- 
papers, etc. 

One of the early prominent figures of that town 
was John Holland, a wealthy banker and a man of much 
force of character, who carried on the business of bank- 
ing under the firm name of Holland & Coleman. After 
the death of Mr. Holland in the latter '40s, Thomas D. 
Robertson, a practical banker, became associated with 
Coleman inconlucting the business. In the early '50s 
Melancthon Starr located in Rockford and entered the 
bank of Coleman & Robertson as cashier. He had re- 
ceived his training in the bank of his father. Chandler 
Starr, an old-time New York banker, who, besides being 
a prominent banker, was an influential leader in the 
Whig party in the city and state. Xher the death of 
Mr. Coleman, Robertson and Starr continued the busi- 
ness, and when the bank, in the latter '60s, organized 
under the national banking law as the "Winnebago Na- 
tional Bank," Mr. Robertson became its President and 
Mr. Starr its Cashier. For over thirty years the bank 
flourished under the management of these two able finan- 
ciers. Mr. Robertson is still its President, but Mr. Starr 
died some years ago and his place as Cashier has been 
filled by his son. Chandler Starr. This bank, which has 
carried on its business for over half a century is the pride 
of the city of Rockford. Under the management of 
Robertson & Starr this veteran moneyed institution did 
much for Rockford and Winnebago county. Mr. Rob- 
ertson has been a sagacious, conservative and successful 
banker and a public spirited citizen. Mr. Starr's death 
was a severe loss to the community, in which he had 
lived for over a third of a century, and who had become 
closely identified with its material, social, moral and re- 



270 

ligious interests. His culture; attractive personality, up- 
rightness and genial and kind disposition made him a 
general favorite. As a conversationalist he had few- 
equals. He was one of the best types of the Christian 
gentleman. 

Another early, prominent and influential citizen 
was John P. Manny, the extensive manufticturer of farm- 
ing implements; who had much inventive genius, a well 
trained mind, quick business perception, integrity and a 
generous and kind nature. He was one of the most [)op- 
ularand highly esteemed citizens of Winnebago county. 

William A. Talcott located in Rockford when a 
young man and became identified with the great manu- 
facturing establishment of Emerson & Co., so long and 
favorably known in the Northwest. He has the reputa- 
tion of being one of the most far-sighted and successful 
business men in that community. With much mental 
force, energy and industry, he possesses unusual admin- 
istrative ability, and has shown rare discrimination as a 
financier. A careful student of events, he has gained 
much information and is an interesting talker. He has 
literary taste and is a forceful writer. In disposition he 
is genial and kind-hearted, and as a host is cordial and 
generous. 

John Edwards came to Rockford in the early '50s 
from Lowell, Mass., where he had been for some years 
engaged in the lumber business. Possessed of much will 
force and energy, he soon became a prominent citizen. 
He was public spirited and one of the prime movers in 
founding the Rockford Female Seminary, now the Rock- 
ford Female College, an institution of wide reputation in 
the Northwest. In the latter '50s he donated to the city 
of Rockford a central tract of land for a [lublic park. A 
few years after his death, which occurred in the early 
'70s, a fine fountain was erected in the park and called 



271 

the "Edwards Memorial Fountain." He was a leading, 
member of the Congregational church for many years 
before his death. His sound judgment, broad sympa- 
thies and sturdy integrity, gained for him the respect; 
and confidence of the entire community. 

Ralph Emerson, the head of the firm of Emerson & 
Co., for nearly half a century manufacturers of farming 
implements, has always been regarde<] as Rockford's^ 
foremost citizen. His great brain power, quiet energy 
and practical methods in the management of large af- 
fairs, moving on conservative and safe lines, have led; 
to success, and have been recognized by the commun- 
ity. Unassuming in manner and of a kindly disposi- 
tion, he has always been closely identified with the edu- 
cational and religious interests of the city which has so 
long been his home. 

Other citizens besides those mentioned above, have 
been active and potent factors in advancing the various 
interests of that flourishing city. Dr. George Haskell 
was also an early settler, a man of education and ad- 
ministrative ability; W. A. Dickerman, an early mer- 
chant and a successful man of affairs; Dr. R. P. Lane, a 
banker and an enterprising citizen; Charles Horsman, a 
merchant and capitalist; Alexander Forbes, an exten- 
sive manufacturer, and one of Rockford's most enter- 
prising citizens, and Horatio Stone, a retired merchant 
who died recently, whose generous bequests to educa- 
tional and charitable institutions of the city were appre- 
ciated by its citizens. 

Winnebago county was conspicuously loyal to the 
Union during the civil war and sent more men than its 
quota to the front under the several calls for volunteers. 
Rockford was singularly unfortunate in losing in battle 
so many of its regimental officers. Colonels Ellis, Nevius- 
and Melancthon Smith were of the number. Had these- 



272 

exceptionally brave and capable officers been spared to 
return to their homes and former occupations, they 
doubtless would have been active and potent factors in 
promoting the welfare of the community. Major Patrick 
Flynn, a courageous, faithful and efficient officer, who was 
with Sherman on his "nuarch to the sea," and still liv- 
ing, is the last surviving regimental officer who went out 
from "old Winnebago county." 

PLATLEVILLE, WISCONSIN. 

Plaiteville, in Grant county, is nearly due north of 
Oalena in the northwestern section of the lead mine re- 
gion. I knew the village somewhat in the '40s and well 
in the '50s. It has considerable mineral wealth in its 
vicinity and the land within an area of ten miles is of 
great fertility. Among its early settlers I now recall 
Major J. M. Rountree,to whom I have alluded elsewhere; 
Noah H. Virgin, a miller and manufacturer; Elijah Bay- 
ley, a merchant and capitalist; George R. Lawton, an ex- 
tensive land owner; Leonard Coates; Isaac Hodges, bank- 
er and land proprietor; Charles H. Nye. educator; Dr. 
George W. Evans, a prominent surgeon in the civil war; 
Major Henry Gratiot, paymaster in the civil war; Dr. 
Edward Cronin, a former Galenaian; Prof. J. L. Pickard, 
educator, afterwards Superintendent of Public Schools in 
Chicago; Rev. John Lewis, a young, zealous and able 
Congregational minister, who died in the latter '50s, and 
Colonel H. H. Virgin, a soldier of the civil war. Most 
the men I have named were energetic, sagacious and 
enterprising, and did much in making Platteville what 
it now is, a noted educational center. The "Platteville 
Academy" was incorporated in 1840, and under the man- 
agement of Prof Pickard and others flourished until 
1857, when it gave up its charter and became a "State 
Normal School and Teachers' Institute." Ample funds 



273 

have been provided by the state, and the institution, 
under judicious management, now ranks as one of the 
very best in the state. Of late years this school has been 
a great benefit to the city of Platte ville, as many well-to- 
do people in all parts of the state having children to be 
educated have moved into the city to avail themselves of 
the superior educational advantages afforded by that and 
the other schools of the place. 

The "Platteville Witness," which has been published 
for nearly forty years, is a newspa{)er of rare excellence. 
In 1864 to 1870 its editor and proprietor was George K. 
Shaw, a "Galena boy," and a brother of the late Judge J, 
M. Shaw of the circuit court of Minneapolis, Minn., who 
later became the able editor of the "Minneapolis Jour- 
nal." On his retirement the "Witness" became the prop- 
erty of M. P. Rindlaub, an able and experienced news- 
paper man, who at once infused into it new life. The 
paper was enlarged and improved in many respects. 
Under Mr. Shaw's administration it became a pronounced 
Republican paper, and has so continued to the present 
time. Mr. Rindlaub, by judicious management and by 
the force and pertinancy of his editorials, has made it 
one of the very best newspapers in the state. 

During the '40s and '50s the commercial and social 
relations between Galena and Platteville were close. The 
latter brought trade to Galena, from which point was 
shipped their farm products and lead. After the open- 
ing of railroad communication with Chicago and Mil- 
waukee these relations changed. 



CHAPTER XV. 



TME PHILAFRICAN LIBERATORS' LEAGUE, 

Two years or more ago my attention was directed to 
a movement in Switzerland, Belgium, Great Britain and 
the United States to suppress the internal African slave- 
trade, and that a society or organization was being 
formed in New York called the Philafrican Liberators'^ 
League to assist in effecting this object. The movement 
was the result of reports from the Rev. Heli Chate- 
lain, a French-Swiss American and an explorer in 
south central Africa. A condition of things was re- 
vealed by Mr. Chatelain that surprised and horrified the 
civilized world. It seems that a regular system of slav- 
ery has long existed in southern central Africa and that 
the slave trade in its worst form has been carried on with 
impunity on the southeast coast of Africa south of Zanzi- 
bar. The parties engaged in this nefarious traffic go 
into the interior of the country 300 to 500 miles, buy 
or capture men, women and grown-up children, and 
drive them in gangs, loading them with food needed for 
the journey, to some coast town and then sell them to 
parties who take them to the countries of the far East or 
to the East India islands. It is believed that over 50,000 
every year are thus bought or captured and brought to 
the coast, and that sometimes nearly one-half of the 
number die from disease, brutal treatment or exposure 
while en route and are left by the roadside unburied to 
be devoured by wild beasts. 



275 

Mr. Chatelaiii was the first to give to the world the 
facts briefly narrated above. Nearly a score of years 
ago he went from New York as a missionary to Loando, 
on the southwest coast of Africa. He is a fine linguist, 
was educated near his place of birth in the Canton of 
Neuchatel, Switzerland, and studied theology in New 
Jersey, United States, after which he went as a mission- 
ary to Africa. He was soon appointed by the govern- 
ment of the United States its commercial agent at Loando. 

Soon after having translated the language of the 
nearest tribe into Portugese, the commercial language at 
Loando, he began his explorations and investigations 
with the results stated. His re[)resentations, made in 
Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, England and the United 
States after his return from Africa, aroused deep interest 
everywhere, especially among statesmen, philanthropists 
and the clergy, hi New York a Philafrican Liberators' 
League was organized at once with distinguished men of 
national reputation for directors, such as Rev. L. T. 
Chamberlain, D. D., the President of the League, well 
known in Chicago as the pastor of the New England 
church in the '80s; Rev Josiah Strong, D. D.; Rev. W. 
W. Atterbury, D. D.; Rev. Joachim Elraendorf, D. D.; 
Rev. W. H. P. Faunce, D. D.; Rev. Lyman Abbott, D. D., 
late pastor of the Plymouth church, Brooklyn; Rev. 
David J. Burrill, D. D., formerly of Chicago; Rev. John 
H. Edwards, D. D., and Rev. A. F. Beard, D. D.; the 
Hon. Fred R. Coudert, the distinguished lawyer; Paul du 
Chaillu, the great African explorer; Booker T. Washing- 
ton, the educator; Dr. Albert Siiaw, the editor of the 
"Review of Reviews;" Gen. John Eaton; Horace E. 
Garth, prominent banker, and William J. Schieffelin. 
Hon. Thomas B. Bryan and Gen. A. L. Chetlain are the 
Chicago members of the Board of Directors. 

The New York League began active work over a 



276 

year ago, with Mr. Chatelain as the field manager. A 
year ago he left for Africa with a corps of competent 
aides to establish a station on the west coast of Africa 
known as Portugese West Africa. The place selected for 
the first station, named Lincoln, is on an elevated plat- 
eau or table land, 6,000 to 7,000 feet above the sea level, 
150 miles from the coast, with a healthful climate, and 
surrounded by land of great fertility, well watered and 
well timbered. Mr. Chatelain has already as helpers, 
two young Christian physicians and three college gradu- 
ates, two of whom are accompanied by their wives. All 
are now at Lincoln as missionaries "to civilize and Chris- 
tianize" the natives. 

As money has been liberally contributed, more com- 
petent helpers will be sent to Lincoln, after which other 
stations will be established farther into the interior, until 
a cordon of the stations will extend across the continent 
and be "cities of refuge" for all who seek freedom from 
oppression, The missionaries who go to Lincoln have 
transportation furnislied them to their destination, and 
$300 given to each for his expenses for one year, after 
which they are to support themselves. 

Rev. Dr. L. T. Chamberlain, the President of the 
League, is admirably fitted for the position, having zeal, 
good judgment and unusual administrative ability. 
Rev. Dr. J. H. Edwards, of the executive committee 
of the Board of Directors, was reared in Rockford, 
111., educated at Beloit college. Wis., and has been in the 
Christian ministr}' for over a third of a century. He is 
broadly educated, has a strong mentality, great execut- 
ive force, and in disposition is genial, generous and 
sympathetic. Rev. Mr. Chatelain, the field manager of 
the League, is still in the prime of life, thoroughly edu- 
cated, of intense energy, deep and sincere piety, large ex- 
perience as a missionarj^ and an explorer, and the best 



277 

master of African languages living. If his life is spared, 
he will soon, by his well directed efforts and practical 
methods, raise up a corps of active Christian men and 
women who, aided by native helpers, will carry on the 
great and good work just begun in all parts of the "dark 
continent." 

I have given in the foregoing, as briefly as I could, 
an account of the new work of "civilizing and Christian- 
izing" the natives of Africa, a work in which I have be- 
come deeply interested and in which I assume the aver- 
age reader will be also. I regard this undertaking in 
the field of missionary work as an advanced one. When 
the time shall have come that the missionary will be 
virtually self-supporting, a long stride will have been 
taken in the direction of "civilizing and Christianizing" 
the pagan world. I predict that it will not be long be- 
fore this horrible system of slavery and the more horri- 
ble traffic in human beings will be broken up in Africa, 



CHAPTER XVI. 



GALENA AND ITS MEN AT THE CLOSE OF ThiE NINE- 
TEENTH CENTURY. 

Galena was founded nearly tliree-quarters of a cen- 
tury ago. It was the first city in the Northwest to or- 
ganize under a charter. Its history is strange and inter- 
esting. Beginning at that early date it grew steadil}' in 
population and commercial importance until the middle 
of the '50s, when it began to lose its trade, which then 
was larger than that of Chicago. Up to that tima its en- 
tire business had been done by steamboats running on 
the Mississippi river. Fever river, on which Galena is 
situated, was a narrow, crooked, but deep river, naviga- 
ble at all seasons for the largest steamboats. As soon as 
railroad communication had been opened between Lake 
Michigan and the Mississippi river competition began 
and Galena lost much of its trade. Its immediate 
neighbor, Dubuque, by a direct line only twelve miles 
distant, started only a few years later and, although more 
favorably located, being on the west side of the Mississippi 
river, was kept in check by Galena for a quarter of a cen- 
tury, when it took a start, and before the civil war it had 
distanced its competitor in volume of commercial business. 
Now Dubuque has a population of 40,000 and Galena 
about 7,000, a little less than it had in the '50s, when it 
was at the height of its commercial prosperity. 

When Galena lost its wholesale trade it lost all. The 
mistake made, and it was a fatal one, b}- its capitalists 
was in keeping all their capital in trade. They might 



279 

have reached out, (as they could easily have done in the 
'40s and '50s.) and have induced manufacturing estab- 
lishments to locate there. Had that been done, after its 
trade had left they could have fallen back on their man- 
ufacturuig industries. Dubuque began late, but its 
manufacturing interests are now very considerable 
and constantly' increasing. Galena has endeavored 
within the past two decades to start various manufact- 
ures with little success. It is trj'ing now with a better 
prospect of succeeding. Galena in the '50s had some 
forty wholesale houses, which commanded the trade of 
Western Wisconsin, Northeastern Iowa and Minnesota, 
and now has but five or six. Such a change is phenom- 
enal and almost incredible. 

And yet Galena is not a dead city nor a "deserted 
village." It has a good local retail trade, much wealth 
among its citizens, considerable culture, many churches, 
excellent public schools, a very valuable free circulating 
library, and ample railroad facilities. Its streets are 
lighted by electricity, excellent artesian well water is 
supplied to all by waterworks, and what must not be for- 
gotten, that aside from its immediate agricultural re- 
sources, it has what no other western city has to any great 
extent, mineral resources as well. Hence, it will always be 
a prosperous city. When Galena was at the height of com- 
mercial prosperity, a veritable "bee hive" of activity, the 
hills surrounding the business portion of the city were dot- 
ted with houses of uncouth appearance, without trees or 
shrubbery about them, giving to the hills a bare and 
bleak appearance. I now look out upon these hills, 
with shade trees and beautiful lawns and houses of mod- 
ern construction, filled with everything that makes a 
modern home attractive, making the view a beautiful 
and picturesque one. The average citizen of Galena is 
well to-do There are com mratively few poor people. 



280 

The bad element in its population is very bad, but not 
numerous. House rent is cheap, and all supplies needed 
by a family are abundant and obtained at little cost. 

In the '30s and '40s the city of Galena, then the 
metropolis of the lead mine region, drew to it young and 
enterprising men from all parts of the country, especially 
from the Eastern, and Southern border States, mostly ta 
engage in trade or to practice the professions. In time 
they removed to other places that offered greater induce- 
ments to them. These men, jurists, lawyers, physicians^ 
mechanics and men of affairs, in very many instances 
became the leaders of men, and active and potent factors 
in everything that has marked the advance of the civil- 
zation of the last half of the Nineteenth century in the 
great West. 

The moral and intellectual influence which they 
have exerted, directly or indirectly, to elevate and bless 
mankind cannot be estimated. Galena may well be 
proud of her past achievements in commerce and trade 
and in the development of the mineral resources of the 
region about her, and justly proud too of what her citi- 
zens and sons did in the late civil war to save the life 
of the nation. She had at the close of the war a gen- 
eral, a major general, two brevet major generals, a briga- 
dier general and three brevet brigadier generals, and, 
including the county, out of a population of less than 
27,000, over 3,000 brave and patriotic men volunteered 
and served in the army from one to four years. Sitting 
modestly on her five hills, she can point to objects within 
her limits which will always be of interest to the patriotic 
American citizen. There on West or Cemetery hill is 
the house in which lived the Great Commander before 
the war, and on the east hill overlooking the city is the 
house he occupied after the war and which the family 
still owns. In the public park is his statue in bronze. 



281 

erected by the generous and patriotic citizen, Herman 
Kohlsatit of Chicago, formerly a "Galena boy." Within 
the walls of the Custom house is the great historical 
painting by Thomas Nast, "Peace in Union," depicting 
the surrender at Appomatox, a gift to the city from the 
same generous citizen. These objects will ever invest 
Galena with historic interest and be valuable object les- 
sons to the children of the nation for generations to come. 
She can point also to such of her distinguished citi- 
zens and sons as the late Elihu B. Washburne, the diplo- 
mat and statesman of world-wide renown; to such jurists, 
dead and living, as Thomas Druramond, Moses Hal- 
lett, B. R. Sheldon, Orville C. Pratt, Van H. Higgins, C. 
C. Kohlsaat. J. M. Shaw, Arthur H. Chetlain, Jacob 
Fawcett, J. S. Baume and W. T. Hodson; as Governors, 
to Thomas Ford of Illinois, C. C. Washburn of Wiscon- 
sin, W. R. Marshall of Minnesota, W. H, Gear of Iowa, 
and W. A. Richards of Wyoming; as distinguished and 
successful men of affairs; to J. M. Douglas, Henry and 
Nathan Corwith, Ben H. Campbell, the Ryan Brothers, 
JohnRoss, Herman Kohlsaat, J. A. Packard, B. F. Felt, 
James W. Scott, L. S. Felt, Thomas Foster, W. J. Quan, 
J. Russell Jones, Wm. H. Hooper, Russell Blakeley and 
Richard Brown; as distinguished lawyers to Ben Mills, J. 
P. Hoge, Thompson Campbell, S. M. Wilson, John N. 
Jewett, J. B. Wells, A. C. French, E. A. Small, C. W. 
Churchman, Wellington W. Weigley, R. H. McClellan, 
John A. Rawlins, David Sheean and Colonel E. D. Baker, 
the lawyer, soldier, United States senator and brilliant 
orator, and to such noted clergymen as Rev. Drs. Arthur 
Swazey, S. G. Specs, George F. Magoun, A. C. Smith, 
Bishop J. H. Vincent and Elder Hooper Crews. v 



In looking back over the twenty-five years preceding 
the civil war spent in Galena as a boy and young man, 



282 

ihe last ten of which were devoted to active business as 
a merchant, I cannot but think of the men with whom 
I associated in churcli, in society, and in business affairs, 
many of whom were among m}' intimate friends. Most 
of them have crossed the river into the great beyond. 
Not a few were men of strong character, whose person- 
alities impressed me so deeply that they can never be 
forgotten. Among those who have not been mentioned 
before in these pages is the Rev. Dr. Arthur Swazey, for 
many years pastor of the First Presbyterian church at 
Galena, a man of rare mental force and great loveliness 
of character who moved to Chicago, and for ten years 
was the editor-in-chief of the "Interior," the organ of the 
Presbyterian church of the northwest. 

Warren W. Huntington, one of my most esteemed 
friends, for many years the business manager of The Ga- 
lena Gazette, was by appointment of President Lincoln, 
postmaster at Galena, and held the office for twelve con- 
secutive years. A man of much mental force, upright, 
public spirited, generous to a fault, intensely loyal to his 
country, and always true to his friends. The men who 
knew him the best, loved him the most. 

John A. Packard, whose career in Galena as a whole- 
sale merchant, and as a manufacturer in Chicago, was 
one of marked success, was recognized as a shrewd, far 
sighted business man of much positive strength of char- 
acter, and of probity and honor. 

L. S. Felt, for so many years a leading merchant in 
Galena, the intimate friend of Gen. Grant, a man of such 
marked ability in affairs, that had he been a merchant 
in Chicago or New York instead of Galena, he would 
undoubtedly have taken his place with the foremost 
merchants of either cit}'. 

William and James Ryan, early wholesale mer- 
chants in Galena and later extensive packers in Du- 



283 

buque and Galena, were men of much brain force, clear 
sighted in business affairs, enterprising and successful. 
William, the elder, was a friend of Gtn. Grant and con- 
spicuously loyal to the Union during the civil war. 

.John E. Corwith, who died recentiy, a younger 
brother of Henry and Nathan Corwith, and for fort}' 
years a resident of Galena, was engaged in business, and 
for many years was the President of the "National Bank 
of Galena." Repossessed a quiet force of character, was 
shrewd, conservative and discriminating in business 
affairs, with an attractive personality and kindliness of 
disposition. His judicious management in business se- 
cured for him a very large fortune. His cousin, David 
N. Corwith, an old resident and business man of Galena, 
its former City Treasurer, and now retired, has occupied 
the Gen. Grant house on East hill with his family for 
some twelve years, and is the custodian of many articles 
of historic interest owned by the General and, still held 
by his family. 

James Spare, who came to Galena in the latter 'SOs 
was a builder and contractor, and a man of reliable judg- 
ment, much practical intelligence and conscientious in 
his dealings with others. I sat in his Sunday school 
class for some years and can bear testimony as to his 
moral worth and high Christian character. His brother, 
John C. Spare, who located in Galena about the same 
time is still there, highly esteemed by his fellow citizens. 
He is a shrewd student of events, has great practical in- 
telligence, strong and decided convictions, with the cour- 
age to uphold aud defend them. 

Dr. Augustus Weirich, for so many years a success- 
ful practitioner in Galena, was highly learned and skill- 
ful in his profession, and a most estimable citizen, of 
whom it is related that some of his patients had so much 
confidence in his ability to heal all the diseases that 



284 

flesh is heir to, that his presence alone without the use of 
medicine, would often effect a cure. His son. Dr. Augus- 
tus Weirich who succeeded him in his practice after his 
death, is a most highl}' educated and skillful practitioner, 
who stands deservedly high in the community. 

Doctors J. S. Crawford and Charles W. Hempstead 
practiced in Galena for many years. Both had much 
natural ability and were thoroughly educated in their 
profession, and their skill as practitioners was generally 
recognized. Dr. Hempstead moved to Chicago, taking a 
high place among the medical fraternity. Dr. Crawford 
has a son, Dr. W. S. Crawford, who has taken up his 
father's practice in Galena and vicinity, and has won a 
high reputation as a successful practitioner. 

Dr. E. D. Kittoe, surgeon of the forty-fifth Hlinois 
Infantry, in the first year of the civil war, impressed 
himself upon the army of the Tennessee by his ability, 
skill and superior executive force, and later when in 
charge of important work in the medical department he 
maintained his high reputation. During his long term 
of service Dr. Kittoe, both as a surgeon and medical 
director, had no superior. Gen. Grant, on whose staff 
he served for some time as medical inspector, was much 
attached to him, and had great confidence in his skill, 
integrity and administrative ability. 

Captain T. D. Connor, of the forty-fifth Hlinois In- 
fantry, who lost his life in the battle at Shiloh, was an 
intelligent and brave officer, and greatly beloved by the 
men of his company. As a business man in Galena be- 
fore the war, he was well known and highly esteemed, 
whose word was regarded as "good as his bond," and in 
all dealings with others, was the soul of honor. 

Major U. G. Scheller de Buol, a topographical en- 
gineer, with a European education, entered the volunteer 
service in 1861 and bv order of Gen. C. F. Smith con- 



285 

structed, in the fall of that year, the fortiticatioiis at 
SmithlainJ, Ky., to command the mouth of the Cumber- 
land river. I was in command of that military post, and 
while engaged in this work he wa? a member ol my staff 
and one of my military family. In 1864, under Gen. C. 
C. Washburn, Commander of the District of Memphis, 
he improved and strengthened the extensive fortifica- 
tions of Memphis, where he showed skill and excellent 
judgment, and for which service he was highly com- 
mended by the Engineer-in-Chief of the Department. 

George M. Mitchell was an early settler in Galena 
and closely identified with all its interests for nearly 
two score of years. He was endowed with much natural 
ability, liberally educated, and had a genial, generous 
and kindly disposition. He filled many positions of 
trust in the city and county with fidelity and efficiency. 
When the civil war broke out his loyalty to the Union 
was conspicuous. 

G. H. Mars, so well known and so highh' esteemed 
by all old Galenians, had an attractive personality, much 
practical intelligence, a generous nature and a kind and 
sympathetic disposition. He filled several positions of 
trust in the city, and had he desired could have held 
many more. His was a strong and lovely character. Of 
such a man it can in truth be said, that the world is 
better for his having lived in it. 

W. H. Snyder, for many years the popular and effi- 
cient cashier of the Merchant's National Bank of Galena, 
and who was held in such high esteem by the commun- 
ity in which he lived so long, had much positive strength 
of character, kindness of disposition and stern integrity. 
Such a type of manhood, when known, is always appreci- 
ated by discriminating minds. His successor as cashier, 
■Charles S. Merrick, is the son of one of my old-time 
friends and one of Galena's successful merchants, and 



286 

has the reputation of being exceptionally efficient and 
reliable. 

Augustus Estey located in Galena in the latter '30s, 
having come from one of the New England states. He 
soon engaged in superintending raining operations and 
smelting lead ore with marked success. He was a clear- 
headed, careful and conservative man of business. For 
many years previous to his death he was the President of 
the Merchants' National Bank of Galena. His quiet en- 
ergy and judicious management in business affairs was 
only equalled by his piety and devotion to his Christian 
duty. His life was full of good works. Though dead, 
his works and his example remain and they form his 
fittest monument. His son, Eugene Estey, a prominent 
and popular citizen of Galena, has managed the estate of 
his father since his death. 

Frederic Stahl, an early settler of Galena, and for a 
score of years one of its leading wholesale merchants, 
was a man of few words, but possessed quiet energ}', 
sound judgment, conservative in business affairs, and of 
much force and probity of character. He held several 
positions of trust in the state. He was a politician, but 
never a partisan. 

Nicholas Stahl, brother of Frederic Stahl and his 
partner in business, possessed unusual ability and dis- 
crimination in business affairs, admirable in detail, 
painstaking and a man of great practical sense, was a 
a sincere Christian, a public spirited citizen, having an 
exceptionally kind and sympathetic disposition. 

Nelson Stillman, for so many years a wholesale mer- 
chant in Galena, was a quiet and unassuming man of 
great force of character, far sighted, of excellent judg- 
ment in business affairs and successful. He was a sin- 
cere, active and consistent Christian and one of the most 
loveable men I ever knew. 



287 

Daniel Wann, who at an early day was of the mer- 
cantile house of Lytle & Wann in Galena, and in later 
years the collector of the port of Galena, which position 
he held with acceptance for nearly a score of years, was 
of a retiring disposition, had much practical intelligence 
and uprightness, and was a good type of the gentleman 
of the old school. 

Colonel C. L. Stepht^nson was also for a few years 
collector of the p")rtof Gilena and a coiispicuous figure, 
large bodied, large brained, large hearted, blunt at times 
in manner, but of a most kind and sympathetic disposi- 
tion. A close and careful student of events, he was well 
informed and hid greit practical gjo I sense. He was a 
Whig, and later an uncompromising Republican and in- 
fluential in the counsels of his party. 

Captain Smith D. Harris, not long dead, was the last 
of the mining pioneers in the lead mines of 1823-25. He 
was highly esteemed for his superior judgment of affairs, 
simplicity of character, generous disposition and genuine 
integrity. During his long residence in Galena he did 
much to advance its best interests. As a steamboat cap- 
tain he had a wide and excellent reputation in the '30s 
and '40s. His loyalty to the Union during the civil 
war was intense. He served as a captain in the Black- 
hawk war of 1832, and nothing but his advanced years 
prevented him from offering his services as a volunteer 
in 1861. 

Harvey Mann, an old, well known and extensive 
farmer and stock breeder near Galena, was for many 
years a member of the County Board of Supervisors and 
a politician of influence. He possessed rare intelligence, 
good judgment and sturdy integrity. 

Ralph S. Norris, who made his advent in Galena 
in the early '40s was a strong character. He was 
a clerk at first, and then engaged in business on his own 



288 

account. For nearly twenty years he was the Treasurer 
of the county and politically one of the most popular 
men. He married, the onl}' daughter of the late Dea- 
con John Wood soon after locating in Galena, who is 
still living on the farm near the city. Mr. Norris was 
one of Jo Daviess county's best citizens, public spirited, 
generous, intelligent, upright and kind-hearted, "To 
know him was to love him." 

Thomas P. Pate located in Galena with his family 
in the early '40s.. He was born in England and was a 
practical gardener and a man o f rare intelligence and 
integrity. His two sons, Davey S. Pate and Alexander 
Pate, were educated in the Galena schools, and in the 
early '60s, soon after the death of their father, moved to 
Chicago. The older son went into the lumber business 
as a clerk, and in time began business on his own ac- 
count. Having a thorough knowledge of the business, 
by judicious management he was not only successful, but 
became prominent and influential in lumber circles. 
The younger son engaged in the grain commission busi- 
ness, and is now a prominent operaLor in grain, and a 
banker at Wilmington, HI. All old Galenians will re- 
member Mr. Pate, the father, as a dignified, courteous 
and unassuming Christian gentleman. 

Reimer Kohlsaat, the agent at Galena, of the Amer- 
ican Bible Society, for the Lead Mine region in the early 
'50s, was the father of Judge C. C. Kohlsaat, Herman 
Kohlsaat and Ernest W. Kohlsaat, well known and 
prominent citizens of Chicago. He had much natural 
ability, was well educated, a leader in the Baptist de- 
nomination, and an active and efficient Director in the 
Galena Bible Society for many years. His zeal, good 
judgment and devotion to his duties as agent of the local, 
as well as of the parent society were recognized by all. 
In disposition he was courteous, modest, kind-hearted, 
sympathetic, and beloved by those who knew him. 



289 

Col. T. E. ChHm{)ion, of Warren, 111., of the ninety- 
sixth Illinois Infantry, was before the war, a lawyer of 
learning in his profession, whose practice was for the 
most f)art at the Galena bar. He had in him the elements 
of the true soldier viz. intelligence, courage and devotion 
to his duties. As the commander of a regiment he had 
no superior. The record he made during his service was 
one of which any American patriot might well be proud. 

Among the early merchants of Galena was A. M. 
Haines, who in the latter '40s opened a wholesale boot 
and shoe house. He had received a thorough training 
for his business, and was methodical, careful and con- 
servative. His recent death was deeply regretted bv his 
fellow citizens who always held him in high esteem. 

J. B. Brown, the editor and proprietor of The Galena 
Gazette for many years, had much mental force, and 
was large hearted, genial, frank and companionable. As 
a writer he was vigorous and forceful. He was held in 
high esteem, not only by his fellow citizen? of the Lead 
Mine region, but also by all who knew him in the state. 
The "Gazette" under his management was unquestion- 
ably the best paper published in a city of less than 10,- 
000 inhabitants in the northwest. As an old employee 
recently said to me, "he never had to look up to anyone, 
and never would look down on anyone, he was our 
friend." Mr. A. W. Glessnsr, the present able, genial 
and popular editor and manager, is maintaining the 
high character of the paper. 

My old time frien 1, Joshua Brookes, who died re- 
cently in Chicago, came to Galena in the early '40s, as a 
clerk in the book store of A. H. Burley, who was then, and 
is still a resident of Chicago. He soon became the pro- 
prietor of the establishment, and for over forty years was 
one of the leading bjok sellers of the northwest. He was 
a born book man, an assiduous reader, and gifted with a 

s 



290 

retentive memory he became an encyclopedia of litera- 
ture. Men of the legal profession, clergymen, or the or- 
dinary student or citizen, when seeking for literary in- 
formation difficult to obtain would go to Brookes, who 
was usually able to give all that was desired. He had 
a keen and well trained intellect, was courteous and kind 
in manner, and always a charming companion. His re- 
ligious convictions were strong and he was an earnest 
consistent Christian, and for many years a ruling elder 
in the First Presbyterian church at Galena. 

Darius Hunkins was a prominent figure in Galena 
nearly a third of a century ago. A quiet, forceful man 
of acute discrimination in business affairs and of splen- 
did administrative ability. He was an extensive con- 
tractor on the early railroads constructed in the 
West; he was a man of thought as well as of action, 
and a citizen of which any community might well be 
proud. 

Edgar M. Bouton, a noted farmer and stock breeder 
a few miles north of the city, was one of that well known 
group of men engaged in the same occupation, whose 
farms were all in a radius of a few miles, composed of S. 
S. Brown, R. S. Norris, Harvey Mann and Frederic 
Chetlain. Not only was he energetic, discriminating 
and successful in managing his affairs, but was also in 
disposition modest, generous and kind — a model citizen 
and neighbor. 

Bush rod B. Howard, a lawer of ability at the Galena 
bar, was postmaster at Galena during President Buchan- 
an's administration. He recruited the second company 
of volunteers in Galena for the war in April, 1861, and 
was chosen its captain. He was killed two months later 
in a railroad accident while taking his company to the 
front to join its regiment. He had much will force, en- 
ergy, persistency and a frank and cordial manner. His 



291 

loyalty to the Union was great, and possessing the ele- 
ments of a successful soldier, had he lived he would un- 
doubtedly have made a highly creditable record in the 
service. His two sons, a few years after the war, were 
educated, one at the Military Academy at West Point 
and the other at the Naval Academy at Annapolis. 
They have made good records as officers in their respect- 
ive positions. 

Henry Green of Elizabeth, a man of rare mental 
power and great loveliness of character, served as a 
County Supervisor for some years and afterwards was 
elected a member of the State Legislature and served 
three terms in the house and two terms in the senate, 
where he became conspicuous for his sound judgment, 
general intelligence, efficiency and uprightness. He was 
a farmer, and also managed important mining opera- 
tions for many years before his death. 

About the middle of the '40s two young druggists 
located in Galena and were competitors in the prosecu 
tion of their business. Hector McNeill and Stewart 
Crawford were men of education and marked strength of 
character. They were "well up" in their profession as 
practical druggists, and were regarded by many of their 
fellow citizens, while under treatment for some of their 
ailments, as being as competent as the average physician. 
They were public spirited citizens and active and influ- 
ential church members, who were ever ready to assist in 
any work to elevate and Christianize their fellow men. 
Thomas McNeill, a son of Hector McNeill, has succeeded 
his father in the drug business at Galena. He is thor- 
oughly educated in his profession, has business qualifi- 
cations of a high order and is a most estimable citizen. 

William B. Green located in Galena in 1827. He 
was a practical surveyor, and at the breaking out of the 
Blackhawk war in 1832 joined and assisted in recruiting 



292 

Captain Stephenson's company of Mounted Rangers. In 
183(), when tlie settlers of the lead mine region l^'ing 
within the staie of Illinois, bought their lands from the 
government, Captain Green was chosen to represent them 
at the land office in Dixon as their agent. He performed 
his trust faithfully and to the satisfaction of all. In the 
'SOs'and '40s he filled many positions of honor and trust in 
the county. (■a[)tain Green was a man of mental force, 
great energy, attractive manner and wielded great influ- 
ence in the coujuiunity among all classes. He died in 
Chicago a f^w years ago. I was always very fond of him. 

Stephen Jeffers, an early settler at Hanover, fifteen 
miles south of Galena, was an active and influential 
man in his town. Soon after the civil war began he vol- 
unteered and was chosen cjuartermaster of the Ninety- 
sixth Illinois. He displayed great ability in his official 
position and was prometed to the quartermaster depart- 
ment with the rank of major. He made an excelltnt 
record, showing rare zeal, intelligence and efficiency. 
After the war he returned to Hanover, where he lived 
until his death in 18^»8, highly esteemed by all his fel- 
low citizens. 

One of my friends in the '40s and '50s was the Hon. 
Richard Seal, who for many years was Judge of the 
County Court. He was liberally educated, of sound 
judgment, and faithful and impartial in the discharge of 
his official duties. Of infinite good nature and kindness 
of heart, he was one of Galena's most esteemed citizens. 
To name him was to praise him. 

Simon Alderson of Council Hill, whom I knew in- 
timately in the '50s and '(30s, once a clergyman, after- 
wards a merchant, a manufacturer and a farmer, pos- 
sessed will force, tireless energy, and was resourceful. 
His loyalty to the Union during the civil war was well 
known He was an active and influential member of 



293 

the Methodist church, and wielded much influence for 
good. 

Among my earliest friends in Galena was James M. 
Spratt, who died a year ago. We were schoolmates and 
intimate friends when young men. He was for many 
years a clerk in the mercantile house of L. S. F'elt & Co. 
In the '50s he began business on his own account, and 
was for some forty years the proprietor of the popular 
dry goods house known as the "St. Louis Store." He was 
one of the best poised characters I ever knew. Unas- 
suming and courteous in manner, he had rare intelli- 
gence, excellent judgment, quiet energy, a thorough 
knowledge of his business and always followed conserva- 
tive lines. His integrity was never questioned, nnd his 
reputation for fair dealing was generally recognized. I 
esteemed him for his many admirable traits of character. 

Among the prominent men now living in Galena and 
well known to me, not mentioned in preceding pages, 
is John Ross, the President of the National Bank of Ga- 
lena, who for many years was the "right hand" man of 
Henry Corwith. He possesses superior ability in busi- 
ness affairs, is a good judge of men, energetic, of large 
and varied experience and of sound judgment. He is 
genial, generous and kind hearted, and stands high in 
the estimation of all who know him, and his integrity 
has never been questioned. Galena rates him as one of 
her millionaires. 

Thomas Poster, the nestor of Galena merchants, 
was in the early '40s, the senior member of the wholesale 
mercantile house of Foster & Stahl, and is now the 
President of the Merchants' National Bank of Galena. 
He possesses cool and reliable judgment, much practical 
intelligence, long experience in business, is forceful and 
discriminating, a sincere and consistent Christian, and is 
of a kind and sympathetic nature. With two exceptions, 



294 

he is the last member of that group of noted active and 
successful wholesale merchants who did business in Ga- 
lena in the '40s and '50s. Although reared in the South, 
his loyalty to the Union in the days of the civil war was 
conspicuous. He is one of Galena's most highly esteeuied 
and best beloved citizens. 

John Hellman, for two score of years was one of 
Galena's prominent merchants, of quiet manner, but of 
much business sagacity, who seems always to have done 
the right thing at the right time. He is connected with 
the management of the Merchants' National 5ank of 
Galena as a director, and is one of its most useful mem- 
bers. J. A. Burrichter, who for many years was his 
senior partner in business, but who died some years ago, 
had rare practical sense, simplicity of character, marked 
shrewdness in affairs and sturdy integrity. 

Walter Ford, the efficient and popular cashier of the 
National Bank of Galena, whose service in that mon- 
eyed institution covers nearly the half of a century, has 
ever been courteous, painstaking, industrious and con- 
scientious, a veritable "'faithful servant." Mr. Ford may 
w^ell be proud of the record he has made and the reputa- 
tion he has achieved, for it is an unusual and highly hon- 
orable one. 

John Fiddick, one of Galena's oldest retail mer- 
chants, has great ability, is clear sighted, conservative, 
and operates on lines that almost always assure success. 
He has been one of Galena's most active citizens in car- 
rying out measures undertaken for the public good. His 
older brother, William, and former partner in business, 
who died a few years ago, began business in Galena in 
the early '40s. He was a man of rare business capacity 
and great amiabilit}^ of disposition. 

S. 0, Stillman, one of the largest hardware mer- 
chants in the Northwest outside of Chicago, now retired. 



295 

possessed in a marked degree the ability requisite to suc- 
cessfully manage such a business as his for so many 
years. His life of activity, probity and success gives 
him a high place in the esteem of his fellow citizens. He 
is an active director of the Merchants' National Bank of 
Galena. 

The veteran bookseller, .Joseph N. Waggoner, now 
retired, whose career as a bookseller in Galena for over 
half a century brought him in close contact with the 
people of the city and county, is a strong character. 
During all these years he has been a prominent member 
of the M. E. church, and his influence has been great in 
advancing the interests of that, as well as in assisting 
other denominations in the great work of elevating hu- 
manity to a higher moral and religious plane. His life 
has been a long, useful and honorable one. 

Benjamin F. Felt, younger brother of Lucius S. 
Felt, who located in Galena in the early '40s, was a clerk 
and a few years later a grocery merchant, is a careful, 
industrious, far-sighted, conservative and upright man of 
business who has impressed himself upon the community 
in many ways, but especially by his generosity, mani- 
fested a few years ago in founding the Galena free circu- 
ting library and by performing other acts of a benevo- 
lent and philanthropic character, which have endeared 
him to his fellow citizens. He has always been a sincere 
and active Christian, whose works will be appreciated 
long after he has gone to his reward, 

James B. Young and D. F. Loveland, merchants for 
many years in Galena and now retired from business, 
did much during the active years of their lives towards 
making Galena what she was when at her best. They 
always operated on conservative lines, had keen and 
quick business perception, energ}^, industry and stern in- 
tegrity. As a result they were successful. 



296 

Richard Barrett, long one of Galena's wholesale 
merchants, has in him as a business man the elements of 
success, viz: good judgment, intelligence, industry and 
persistency. Possessed of much will force and being of 
an unselfish nature, he has done much by his wise coun- 
sels, as well as by his generous deed?, in promoting the 
welfare of the community in which he has lived so long. 
He is a model citizen. 

There is now living in Galena in retirement that 
veteran steamboat pilot so well known on the Mississippi 
river. Captain Thomas G. Drenning. During the civil 
war, as the pilot of the steamboat "Cricket," the flag 
boat of Admiral Porter, when it became necessary to run 
the boat down the Red river in close range of the enemy's 
batteries, after over thirty shots had struck it, one of 
which had carried awaj' a portion of the pilot house, the 
Admiral getting within speaking distance asked the 
Captain, who was at the wheel badly wounded in the 
head by a piece of shell and bleeding profusely about 
the face and neck from the effects of splinters and broken 
glass, "how he was doing," replied, "I'm all right. Ad- 
miral, I'll stick to the wheel." The boat passed the bat- 
teries, although badly damaged and almost entirely dis- 
abled. Such an act of personal courage makes a man a 
hero. The incident is related in detail by Adniiral Por- 
ter in his memoirs. 

Colonel George Hicks, an old-time "Galena boy" and 
a lawyer for a time, who, for many years before the civil 
war, was on the editorial staff of The Galena Gazette, 
entered the volunteer service as a Captain in the Ninety- 
sixth Illinois Infantry, and at the end of three years was 
mustered out as Lieutenant Colonel, with a record of 
marked excellence. His intelligence, bravery and devo- 
tion to his duties was recognized by all and received the 
commendation of his superior officers. After the war he 



297 



took up his residence in Kingston, Jamaica, where he vvas 
appointed Assistant General Superintendent of Public In- 
struction, to perform all the duties of superinteiident out- 
side of Kingston. Eis former experience as county su- 
perintendent of public instruction was of service to him 
and he has proved a most efficient and valuable official. 
He is held in high esteem by the authorities of Jamaica 
as an advanced and able e<lucator. 



The 25th day of April, 1861, as the first company of 
volunteers for the civil war, the "Jo Daviess Guards," 
was parading the streets of Galena just before starting 
for Springfield, 111., there sat on a fence viewing the pa- 
rade, a handsome, well-grown boy of 17 years of age, the 
eldest son of Dr. Thomas A. Livermore, a well-known 
dental surgeon of Galena. He was greatly impressed 
with what he saw, and resolved that he would enlist as a 
volunteer as soon as he had a chance. The following 
year he was sent to an academy in Massachusetts. He 
soon left his school and enlisted as a private, rapidly de- 
veloped fine soldierly qualities and became a commis- 
sioned officer. He rose in rank, and at the close of the 
war was a Colonel commanding a regiment and was 
brevetted a Brigadier General for gallant and meritorious 
services. He is now in Boston at the head of a large 
manufacturing establishment, and is regarded as having 
rare business qualifications. Gen. T. L. Livermore, of 
superb physique, courteous, genial and attractive in man- 
ner, is one of the best types of the intelligent, aggressive 
and successful "Galena boy." 

Henry Fricke, the veteran jeweler of Galena, widely 
known in the Northwest and now retired, is a man of 
great intelligence, clear-headed in business, urbane, 
honest, kind hearted and greatly esteemed by all his fel- 
low citizens. His loyalty to his adopted country during 
the civil war was conspicuous. 



298 

H. C. Gann, the editor and proprietor of the "Sen- 
tinel," of Warren, III, whose admirable management 
and clean cut ability as a writer has made his paper one 
of unusual attractiveness, and it is a welcome visitor to 
many homes beyond the limits of Jo Daviess county. 

Dr. B. F. Fowler has been a resident of Galena in 
the practice of his profession for nearly forty years. Well 
educated and of recognized ability as a practitioner, he 
has always been an unselfish public spirited citizen of at- 
tractive personality, genial and kindly disposition and 
held in high esteem by the people of the city and county. 
He has long been a high and influential Mason and Odd 
Fellow. His son, Hon. B. F. Fowder, after having stud- 
ied law with Gen. D. B. Henderson of Dubuque, Iowa, 
and been admitted to practice, located at Cheyenne, Wyo. 
He at once took a high position at the bar, was appointed 
prosecuting attorney for the county, soon after received 
the appointment of attorney general for the territory of 
Wyoming, and later that of attorney general for the 
new state of Wyoming. Throughout he has shown 
himself a capable, efficient and honest official. He has 
in him the elements of success, viz: intelligence, indus- 
try, a genial disposition and an attractive manner. 

William A. Richards, another "Galena boy," after 
having graduated from the high school, went^to Omaha, 
Nebraska, where he held a responsible position in the 
postoffice in that city for a number of years. Later on 
he was appointed Surveyor General of the territory of 
Wyoming, and subsequently was elected governor of the 
state of Wyoming. At the expiration of his term of 
office he was appointed by President McKinley Assistant 
Land Commissioner of the Department of the Interior 
at Washington, D. C. 

William D. McHugh, a son of Prof John McHugh, 
who was for forty years connected with the public schools 



299 

of Galena, after having studied law and been admitted 
to practice, located at Omaha; Neb , vvliere he suon devel- 
oped exceptional ability in his profession. He was ap- 
pointed by President Cleveland United States District 
Judge of Nebraska, but political complications arose and 
the appointment had to be recalled. 



When I was the chairman of the Jo Daviess County 
Central Republican committee in 1860, in the course of 
my various tours through the county, I became well ac- 
quainted with many men who impressed me with their 
intelligence, intense loyalty to the Union and genuine 
honesty. I now recall an early settler, Abel Proctor of 
Scales Mound, a man of rare intelligence, energy and 
good judgment, and who had been an official in the 
county at an earlier period, and J. D. Piatt of Warren, 
County Judge for one term, a banker and postmaster at 
Warren. 

Captain G. W. Pepoon, of the Ninety-sixth Illinois 
Infantry, with a most excellent record in the civil war, 
afterwards County Supt. of Public Instruction for eight 
years, is broadly educated, of wide information and pop- 
ular in the county. 

J. W. White, a prominent citizen of Hanver, who 
for nearly fifty years has been an extensive matiufacturer 
of woolen cloths, a man of much natural ability and 
culture, great energy good judgment, and unselfishly de- 
voted to the advancement of the best interests of his 
town and its surrounding country. He is held in high 
esteem by the people of the entire county. 

S. K. Miner was elected sheriff of the county in 
1860, and at the breaking out of the war showed his 
loyalt}' to the Union b}' his untiring efforts in recruiting 
men for the army. His loyal fellow citizens recognized 
and appreciated the patriotic work he did during his two 
years of official life. 



300 

Dr. W. A. Little of Elizabeth, fomerly a member of 
the Legislature, R. E. Odell and Aiigust Switzer of Dun- 
leith (now East Dubuque), Josiali Conlee of Scales 
Mound, Frederic Rindesbacher, the extensive farmer and 
stock breeder, and Orange Gray of Stockton; William 
Passmore of Council Hill, E. T. Isbell, Samuel W. Hath- 
away and William Avery of Guilford, J. M. Hunter, 
lawyer, afterwards a State Senator from the Mount Car- 
roll district, and James Parkinson of Berreman, were all 
stalwart Republicans of influence, who performed effi- 
cient work in the notable Lincoln campaign of 1860. 
During the civil war they were actively patriotic. Mr. 
James Parkinson furnished four sons as soldiers in the 
Union army. Three of them lost their lives in the serv- 
ice. The surviving son, L W. Parkinson, is now the 
efficient postmaster at Stockton, in thi^ county. 

There are a few old soldiers of the civil war living 
in Jo Daviess county whom I know, aside from those I 
have already alluded to, such as Major George S. Avery, 
the popular postmaster at Galena; Captain William Rip- 
pin, the efficient clerk of the county court for many 
years; Captain William Vincent, one of Galena's promi- 
nent citizens and a successful merchants, and Captain 
Charles Meyer of East Dubuque, the last captain of the 
first company of volunteers raised in the Northwest in 
April, 1861. They were brave and patriotic soldiers, 
whose services in defense of the flag of the Union were 
most creditable to them, and for which they will ever re- 
ceive the gratitude of their loyal fellow citizens. Also 
Dr. Henry T. Godfrey, a successful practitioner in Ga- 
lena for many years, who was a surgeon of recognized 
skill in the civil war, where he served so long, so faith- 
fully and so well. His son, Dr. Alfred Godfrey, in Colo- 
rado, as a practitioner has achieved much reputation for 
exceptional ability. 



301 

I was gratified not long since to meet the five mem- 
bers of my old company of April, 1861, now living in 
Galena. All served as enlisted men, who, after their 
three months' service re-enlisted for three years. No one 
of them was seriously wounded or sick in hospital, and 
they all took active part in the battles of Fort Donelson, 
Shiloh, Corintii and Altoona. They are William Scheer- 
er, a manufacturer; Cliarles H. Miller, former editor of 
the "Galena Volksfreund," Charles Limper, George Sal- 
zer and Anton Bahwell. All were brave and faithful 
soldiers and of the best types of the American soldier of 
foreign birth. There are many other soldiers in Galena 
and Jo Daviess county who served in tite ranks in the 
civil war equall}^ deserving of honor with the above 
named. 

In the '40s and '50s three of the most extensive fur- 
naces in the lead, mines were owned and operated by Sam 
Hughlett, Thomas Leekley and the Sj)ensley brothers, 
men of energy, good judgment and probity. All have 
passed away, but they have sons in Galena who are their 
worthy representatives: Thomas Hughlett succeeded his 
father in a business he had carried on for thirty years 
and is a successful operator; James F. Leekley, recently 
elected Count}^ Treasurer, was a gallant soldier in the 
civil war; William Spensley, for many years County 
Judge and one of Galena's most able attorneys, and his 
brother, R. M. Spensley, Clerk of the Circuit Court; all 
prominent and highly esteemed citizens. 

During the last forty years there have grown up in 
Galena a large number of men who can properly be 
called the "second growth of the forest." Most of these 
"sons of Galena" have, after reaching manhood moved 
into other states. Many have located in Iowa, Wiscon- 
sin and Minnesota, and some have gone farther west. 



302 

Chicago has over one hundred of them. As a general 
thing they have succeeded in life. Many liave become 
prominent citizens, and a goodly number have become 
distinguished in business and in the professions. 

The "second growth of the forest" now found in Ga- 
lena are not numerous, but possess the elements of suc- 
cess. Among them, Jacob J. Jones, one of the oldest of 
the "boys," a lawyer who has made a reputation for abil- 
ity, integrity and the successful management of the busi- 
ness intrusted to him, and Louis A. Rowley, the only 
son of the late distinguished Gen. W. R. Rowley, who 
has succeeded his father as a real estate and fire insur- 
ance agent. He has much of his father's vigorous men- 
tality, industry, cordial manner and good nature. James 
M. Sheean, son of Thomas Sheean of the law firm of 
David and Thomas Sheean, has the reputation of being 
exceptionally able as a practitioner, and John Boevers, 
the prosecuting attorney; Martin J. Dillon, the city at- 
torney; Hon. M. H. C!leary, member of the Legislature, 
Moses Rees, Paul Kerz, D. B. Blewett, C. S. Cook, John 
F. Jewell and Joseph Nack are young lawyers of excel- 
lent education, well versed in the practice of their pro- 
fession and successful. The former mayor of Galena, 
Hon. T. J. jBermingham, a prominent lumberman and 
banker, is the son of an old-time Galenian, His successor, 
Hon. John G. Schmohl, a dealer in farming implements^ 
is the son of one of Galena's leading retail dry goods 
merchants in the '50s and '60s. The present mayor, the 
Hon. James B. Ginn, is the son of an early and promi- 
nent settler of the county. 

Dr. Edward Kittoe, son of Dr. E. D. Kittoe, medical 
inspectorjjon Gen. Grant's staff, and Dr. Alder Smith, son 
of Colonel Alfred Smith, U. S. A., and grandson of the 
late Gen. John E. Smith, are among the successful prac- 
titioners in'Galena. 



303 

Two young men, reared on a farm in Jo Daviess 
county, after having received a common school educa- 
tion, studied law and were admitted to the Galena bar. 
These brothers possessed much natural ability, were well 
educated in their profession, and by industry and close 
application to business soon gained the reputation of being 
able and successful lawyers. The younger brother, W. 
T. Hodson, a few years ago was elected Judge of the 
County Court, and is filling the position most creditabl3\ 
He has several times been called to discharge the duties 
of County Judge in Chicago, where he gained the repu- 
tation of being able, impartial and efficient. Thomas 
H. Hodson, the older brother, and former Prosecuting 
Attorney, aside from being a good lawyer, was a gallant 
soldier in the civil war, and was for some time a prisoner 
at Andersonville. 

In the '40s there was in Galena a unique character 
in the person of D'Arcy A. French, a learned and 
scholarly man, who conducted a select school for boys. 
His rare intelligence and charm of manner made him' a 
favoiite in the community. One of his sons, John B. 
French, a highly educated man of a quiet and unassum- 
ing disposition, has been connected with the city govern- 
ment of Galena, for nearly a half century, during forty 
years of which he was the city clerk. One of Mr. D'Arcy 
A. French's daughters married Phil A. Hoyne of Chi- 
cago, a former Galenian, and another daughter married 
George R. Melville, who was one of Galena's prominent 
wholesale merchants in the '50s and '60s, and has recent- 
ly died. 

While writing of Mr. J. B. French's long service as 
city clerk, I was reminded of another instance of sim- 
ilar long service, that of Thomas L. McDermott, a "Ga- 
lena boy," who has filled the position of station agent for 
the niinois Central railroad at Galena thirty-eight con- 
tinuous years with ability and fidelity. 

I have just learned that this great railroad corpora- 
tion has retired its oldest conductor, William Thayer, 
who was in its employ in 1854 and ran the first passen- 
ger train through from Chicago to Galena. I remember 



304 

Mr. Thayer in 1861, when he punched the soldier boys' 
tickets when on their way to the front. He has been a 
conductor on this route ever since, and it is stated that 
no one of his trains has ever met with a serious accident. 

Jo Brown, the faithful and popular mail carrier of 
Galena, began his service forty years ago transferring the 
United States mails to and from the depots. 

Before the civil war J. H. Barry ('Squire Barry) was 
elected Justice of the Peace in Galena and has continued 
to "dis lense justice" ever since with ability and impar- 
tiality. His two sons, bright and enterprising young 
men, have been for some time leading retail dr}^ goods 
merchants in Galena. 

Before closing I desire to acknowledge my great 
obligations to Miss Almira Fowler, the daughter of Dr 
B. F. Fowler, a lady of culture, and manj' ac- 
complishments, who is a prominent member of the Illi- 
nois Woman's Press Association, and the able local cor- 
respondent of several of the leading daily newspapers of 
Chicago and St. Louis, and to Mr. Edward Grimm, for 
many years the intelligent and capable foreman of the 
Galena Gazette company, for many valuable suggestions 
in regard to the publication of this, my first effort at 
bookmaking. 

For some months past I have lived in Galena, the 
"City of the Hills," where I have been surrounded by 
scenes so familiar to me in the days of my early man- 
hood. Then I knew almost every man and woman in it. 
To-day most of its people are comparative strangers to 
me. My friends and compani(ms of the lung ago have 
nearly all {)assed away, and I often, in the language 
of the ])oet, 

"Feel like one who treads alone 

Some banquet hall deserted, ^ 

Whose lights are fled, whose garland dead, 

And all but he departed." ** ^ 

To the dead, and they are many, I will say, requjscat 
in pace, — and to the living, the great and good Father of 
all, bless and prosper you. 



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